SHE LEFT THE LIGHT ON FOR ME

SHE LEFT THE LIGHT ON FOR ME

Coming home

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Cheryl and Linda were never close friends. As sisters, being only sixteen months apart in age, their personalities couldn’t have been more different.

Cheryl liked city life: the turmoil, action, conundrum, and cacophony you’d imagine belonged no where but city streets. The rush and madness of everyday life suited her perfectly.

Linda was more subdued. Almost every weekend, when time and weather permitted, she’d drive out to the country with her camera, pitch a tent, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings nature offered.

Yet, while neither had any animosity toward the other, they rarely socialized. Oh, maybe a phone call every few months, or maybe Linda would send her sister a postcard if she’d be out of town for a number of weeks on a photography assignment. Each figured their time and choices of employment kept them apart. At the same time, each knew that if there was a need, no matter where they were or what they were doing, they be there for each other.

Now and then, with the few-and-far-between phone calls, they spoke of their lives, the men they dated and why the relationships never worked out. And so, they went on with their lives, each going in their own direction. That is, until late one winter when Cheryl had gotten ill.

“Linda,” Cheryl said in a voicemail, “just wanted to let you know that I’ve been diagnosed with pneumonia. I’m to stay home and take it easy for a while. I’m SO bored!”

Linda, who was about to start making plans for another out-of-state trip, immediately changed her plans and returned Chery’s call. “Sis, I’m on my way. I wasn’t actually on an assignment; this was more like a working vacation but, well, I’m on my way!”

Cheryl argued that there was no need for Linda to cancel her plans, but her sister insisted.

One look at Chery’s pale face and Linda sprung into action. Opening closet door after closet door, she finally found two lightweight travel bags. She raided her sister’s closets and dresser drawers and packed enough clothes for a month!

“Linda, what the heck are you doing?”

“You need to heal. You need to rest! I can barely breathe here with all this noise outside so I’m kidnapping you and taking you home with me. No arguments, dear sister. I’m going to take care of you whether or not you like it. Now, what toiletries do you want me to pack?”

“Linda, you live all the way out in the sticks! You know I’m a city girl. The quiet will drive me batty!”

Linda tossed a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt at Cheryl’s head. “Here, put these on. I’ll get your boots! We’ll be leaving in about fifteen minutes!”

Cheryl resigned herself to obeying her sister’s directives and ten minutes later, they were on their way for the ninety-minute drive to the suburbs.

During her healing period, Cheryl rested and found herself sitting on Linda’s porch almost every day, enjoying the fresh air and peacefulness. As spring was approaching, Cheryl realized that country living wasn’t as bad as he’d imagined and being with her sister was more fun than she anticipated.

On a warm spring day in late April, Linda announced, “Cheryl, grab your light jacket. We’re going for a ride.”

“Where to?”

“First, there’s something I want to show you and then, we’re going to one of my favorite diners for lunch. You’ll love the food!”

Linda was acting a bit mysterious but finally stopped and both girls exited the car.

“Cheryl, look around. See that little stream? All the trees? Listen to the birds chirping! See that little clearing? I bought this property last year and I’m hoping to build my house next year. I’ll show you the plans as we eat lunch.”

With Cheryl’s health finally back to normal, she returned to the city and Linda returned to her apartment in the suburbs.

Their lives and hectic activities were also back to normal. Cheryl, back to her chaotic office and Linda finally took that working vacation.

Two days after Linda returned, her doorbell rang. “Can I help you?” she asked the young man in the brown uniform.

He responded, “I have a special delivery envelope for a Ms. Linda Anders.”

“Oh, okay, that’s me.”

“Sign here, ma’am.”

After signing for the envelope, she noticed it was from her sister and wondered what Cheryl might be sending that had to be sent by special deliver.”

Inside the thick envelope was a small, just-as-thick envelope and a size ten envelope.

She opened the smaller envelope first and found a key.

Opening the business envelope, she read her sister’s letter.

“Dear Sis, I knew we were never all that close growing up but at the same time, you’ve always been there for me, especially after mom died. Do you remember that day we drove out to the land you bought, and you told me about your dreams of building a house? Well, my dear sister, when you went to the restroom, using my phone, I took a photo of your plans and while you were away, and please don’t be mad, I took the liberty of having your house built for you. That key is for your front door. All I ask in return is another glorious peaceful weekend with my sister. Love you, C.”

Linda dropped everything, hopped in her car, and drove out to the country. There, right where she imagined her house would one day stand, was the house she had always wanted.

Using her new key, she opened the front door, then slumped to the floor and cried as she said, “She even left the light on for me.”