The House By The River: A Paranormal Horror Novel

Chapter 3

“That’s it, I’m done,” said Emmy cozying up to Matt who was watching the evening news on the couch, “I think, it’s time to warm up the bed,” she added with a sly smile.

“A wonderful idea that is,” he answered, “if only the girls were already asleep.”

“Oh, they’d be asleep soon enough. They’ve been running around the house all day,” Emmy answered back, hugging her husband’s neck.

“Tell you what, why don’t you go ahead and freshen up a bit, yeah? You know, maybe put on those special… things you keep for special occasions?”

“Hmmm, how you talk! Go on,” Emmy encouraged, pulling him close.

“I’m just gonna finish my beer here, I’m gonna nurse it till the last drop for as long as I can. As soon as the giggles of the little rascals die down, you can bet your fabulous ass I’ll be comin’ up and we be doin’ a lil’ bed-warming to cap this housewarming.”

“Oooh, I like the sound of that,” said Emmy as she got up, planting a kiss on her husband’s cheek.

“You’d like that don’t you?” Matt echoed.

“Mmm hmmm,” she replied, “Don’t take long,” she reminded as she walked away, doing a couple of sashays before she climbed the stairs.

Matt shook his head, amused. When Emmy acted like this, a great night is always guaranteed. A quick succession of memories ran through his mind, replaying those times that his wife behaved just like she did now. All those times, he had never been disappointed.

If only it were just like then.

It was another thing that was left in the past – too little time to have time alone with his wife. They both had a healthy appetite when it came to sex. He’d build quite the hankering when he was on the road most times. The situation back when they rented an apartment, however, was not conducive to impulsive displays. It still wasn’t, but it wasn’t as restrictive now. Now, they could at least duck into their room and try their hardest not to make a suspicious sound.

A growing lump appeared in his pants as he thought about the maneuvers Emmy could do in bed when she was up for it. He gave his member a quick rub though his jeans before getting up.

“You heard that little man? Tonight’s gonna be fire!” He said softly, patting his dick as he made his way to the fridge to get another can of beer.

~0~

Emmy was excited. She had just been reminded that despite the sacrifices they will have to take, the travel to the school Gina would be enrolled in for one, they were living a good life. No, a better life. A much better life. Gone were the days she worried about the ruckus her kids made, fearing a visit from neighbors. Or visits she’d make herself when such neighbors made ruckuses of their own.

She saw it. She saw it on the faces of all her female friends as she took them on a tour of the house and its surroundings. She saw envy in all of their eyes. She heard it too. Phrased innocently, sometimes in a well-meaning kind of way. Some in indirect jabs and obvious overtures. She chuckled remembering how Mildred and Susan treated their husbands just a little bit coldly towards the end of the day.

Of course, the husbands were clueless, she knew that. Most of them were simpleminded like Matt. She paused as she considered the thought. Simpleminded. It was harsh and comforting at the same time. She certainly did not bemoan the fact that Matt was the way he was. If any, it made things easier for the both of them.

While she spent most of the time nitpicking the nitty gritty, the minute details of everything to do with building the house, Matt made sure to focus on the big things. The long term things. As long as it made sense, all she had to do was summarize it, package it in a way she knew her husband would absorb, and they were set. They worked well together. This was testament to that.

 Stepping into the bathroom inside their room, Emmy heard Gina and Jean arguing as they always did before bed. Though they had separate rooms, with Gina’s room towards the back of the house, the two constantly invaded each other’s rooms and argued. Most of the times it was because of Jean and her never-ending questions. Or requests. The youngest child was becoming quite the nitpicker. Other times it was Gina who was becoming unbearably selective and a rather annoying fault finder.

She smiled at the thought that it would soon end. Gina was twelve now, soon she would be a raging adolescent girl who hated the world. She dreaded the day when large stickers would be stuck on her door and walls, subtle hints of her chosen predisposition. Or when she would start preferring one style over the other, eventually leading into a total wardrobe change. Or start acting conscious around boys her age. Her room would be barred should she have her way and Jean, Jean would feel alone. As the arguing of her daughters grew louder, she wished it would end sooner. At least for this night. Emmy was so looking forward to the last few hours of this night.

She smiled again. Naughty thoughts crossed her mind as she stepped into the tub. A small apartment limited her options, even the usual ones. She scoffed as she remembered just how far she had gone in terms of limiting herself before she realized it. Not even a quick alone time was possible most days, especially when the youngest was born.

Emmy and Matt always had a free-spirited way about it. They’d do it when the urge came. They’d talk about it on the phone, even when he or she was working. She didn’t worry about him looking for other options while on the road. He was reliable like that. She missed the days when she’d literally gush about the though or Matt coming home after time spent working. Now, it was coming close to going back the way it used to. Emmy was thankful for that too.

The temperature of the water was just right. It allowed her to be comfortable as she soaked her tired body into the foamy water. Although raised a Catholic, Emmy had always had a healthy attitude towards sexuality. Her body tingled with anticipation as she rubbed the sponge across her skin. Her trucker husband would be inspired tonight, she decided. She would make sure of it.

The arguing had calmed down as she finished her bath.

Emmy stepped out of the bathroom humming to herself. She made a beeline towards the closet and turning on the light inside, began to rummage inside the drawer that contained her enticing sets of lingerie. Deciding on a pair, she then went towards her make up table and put on one of her perfumes. Even the act of putting on lacy underwear and rubbing perfume on her wrists felt different.

She could still hear her daughters talking. Instead of putting on a robe and sending them to bed, she climbed into bed and hoped the children would retire for the night already. While waiting, her mind wandered into a selection of lustful moves that she planned to enact as soon as her husband came up. Moves that always made him express his appreciation - in groans and grunts, mostly.

She would drive him mad. She would take away his options and tease him until he could not help but release. Then, she’d demand to be satisfied. When he obliged, he always obliged, she would hold out for as long as she could before the inevitable. By then, Matt would be ready for another round. She bit her lower lip lightly as the images of the things that were about to transpire crossed her mind.

Come on Matt, I’m waiting! She thought as she made herself comfortable under the covers.

Then, she fell asleep.

~0~

Like his Emmy, Matt was excited as well. Two beers after she left, he was still thinking of the ‘laying’, as she loved to call it, that he would receive this night. Everything depended on the girls going to sleep, however. Knowing his wife, on a night like this, moaning is going to be the least of his troubles. If their lovemaking ever reached raucous levels, Jean would be at their door in no time. Yes, he was excited, but Matt didn’t want their alone time to be cut short by a curious little girl knocking on their door.

Maybe I should have the room soundproofed, he thought, then dismissed the idea, shaking his head.

So, he waited. The evening news had already given way into evening programming when he heard his daughters’ doors close, one after the other.

Not long now, he thought to himself as he got up and took two more beers from the fridge.

Matt felt particularly energetic despite having been on the entertaining side all day. All the good conversations he had during the day, the subtle praises he received from his friends and fellow fathers was part of the reason why. It felt nice being complimented, although in roundabout ways. It was, in a way, a reinforcement of the belief he had before and while he embarked on the long road to having his house built. Matt was on fire. Two more beers was nothing.

As he replayed the conversations, feeling pride swelling up inside, he too, fell asleep.