He sat on the steps of the back porch.
He leaned back, looking out over
The gravel garden and nishikigoi pond.
Clouds drifted listlessly in the summer blue sky.
He sighed, deeply and long.
The woman sat beside him.
Why so serious Watashi no saiai?
Without looking at her, he said,
I…..am…..bored.
She gave a low chuckle.
Well honey, we don’t have any crowder peas you can shell,
Or any grass for you to mow,
Or any windows that need to be washed.
We haven’t been invited to any pig pickin’s
And we don’t have a crick to go skinny dippin’ in.
He imitated her drawl – perfectly.
So what are you proposin’ darlin’?
She said, follow me. She stood and held her hand out.
You aren’t gonna whomp me with my sword, are you?
His eyes mischievously glinted.
She laughed. Honey love, I got better plans.
Already I am not bored. A southern woman
With a Japanese soul is never boring, he said.
She led him inside and upstairs.
She looked up at him and winked.
In their bedroom, she went to
A wooden box made of cherry wood.
She opened the box and pulled out
A small bundle wrapped in an old linen towel.
Get naked and run a tub of hot water, sir.
Add some bubbly stuff to it and get in.
And now I am mystified he said.
He soaked and watched as she unwrapped
An old, shining straight razor and a leather strop.
Back and forth she honed the razor.
She smiled. Relax. You’re gonna love this.
I gair-on-tee it. She sat behind him
On the back edge of the tub, with his head back between her knees
and wrapped his face in a hot wet washcloth.
Unable to see, he heard her mixing something in a cup.
And then he smelled the sweet smell
Of sandalwood shaving soap.
She tilted his head back and gazed down at him.
She unwrapped the cloth and gently
Began to apply the soap to his face with a soft brush.
He atared up at her. His brown almond eyes
Tender at the intent look in her round brown eyes.
Now buster, you’d best be still.
And with easy, deft strokes, she shaved him,
Wiped his face and applied old fashioned bay rum.
He finished his bath and stepped out.
She dried him off and handed him a clean tee shirt and shorts.
He smoothed his face with his hands.
I am no longer bored…and you are really good.
She grinned up at him, yes, I am.
And sashayed out of the room.
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