The Story

I am going to start this in a forest glen. But, before i do let me explain that I am going to assume I know you better than I really do. I do this so I can create the interplay with its array of feelings and behaviors as I see fit. If you can see yourself in this then I have had a magical insight. If you can’t, then please watch this like a movie. Please, don’t laugh to hard when I make a fool of myself.1

i have chosen a forest glen, because I want to create a sense of peace in this our first meeting. I have chosen a glen because it is closed, a nest, and yet, with a short walk, we can change everything. This bower is surrounded by tall trees. The leaves filtering sunlight and occasionally it seems, as if, rays of sunlight tumble on to the forest floor. There are rocks breaking into the cool green, but they have been here so long they are no an intrusion. Covered in moss and lichens, they have become fast friends with their surroundings. Across from the rocks, a tree has fallen and a cave of sorts is formed branches, leaves and mosses. In the center is a fairy likes sprinkling f wild flowers and if you tiptoe between them and look straight up, you can see a clear blue sky. When you look down after this, you know, forever is always peering over your shoulder. 2

This is a magical place. The first magic is serendipity. You angry, hurt have plunged into the forest and while trying to get away have, instead, come here. You are just breaking through the wall of brambles as if you had found a door, pushing back your hair, as you gasp. You have found quiet here. Like most gifts from nowhere, you have to stop. Stop and gather yourself to receive what you never knew you could have.3

The other half of this serendipitous occasion (because all magic happens in sets and rushes, you must ride it like the wild horse, it is, and if you lucky become friends with it.) . . . Well, I stumbled in. I’d been wandering, trying to wrap my mind around something that wouldn’t wrap of tie up into a neat package. I happened to follow the rock spill in and sit down on the last one. The one, of course, that was just right for sitting and seeing you. I did this just as you  crashed through and stopped. I was favored at  that moment because I got to watch.4

Your hair was a mess, because of the brambles and your constant wiping it out of your face. You wore a long sleeve denim shirt with buttons missing on the cuffs. There was the beginnings or was it endings of an embroidery above your breasts. I couldn’t be sure. Blue jeans with one knee out and responsible sensible shoes. I noticed this immediately, because they were well worn, but, still, respectably out of place. You had been crying ( Now, I don’t envision you, as a person who gets into make-up as an everyday thing. Most mornings, why bother? I could tell. You would make up well) Splayed and with a look  of awe on your face, you looked around.5

Now here is where the second magic occurred. You knew it would take magic for two strangers to accept each other and to have this story work, we needed magic. By the way this is obviously not prestidigitation. This is true magic. The magic of earth and wind. The magic of flesh and bone. What raise magic up to great and momentous level is, as occasionally happens -- even in real life -- this magic has been breathed on by God. 6

You saw me about the same time I saw you. Even if I like to pretend I saw you first. Seated on the rock, one leg crossed over the other. Clad in blue jeans and shod in moccasins. A chamois tan shirt on. My hands over the crossed knee. the glasses pushed back up on my head. An older gentleman, lots of white hair and a brown mustache that needed a lot of trimming. The last person you’d ever notice on a subway or a train. then you looked into my eyes. “The windows to a persons soul,” crossed your mind for some reason.7

you liked the twinkle, you found in them and the fact that they never settled on one color. “Cat’s eyes, he has cat’s eyes,” you noted to yourself -- quickly taking in what was important. 8

I smiled. You smiled. People who want to make a good first impression do that, no matter, how awkward or out of place. The third magic occurred and this was important, no matter what you think. Everything could have died here. The magic is the magic of self-deprecation. We laughed. It started tee hee-hee and ended up guffawing, snorting and choking on itself laughter. It made no sense and no sense could be made, but it was perfect. Perfection is always good, as long as you don’t have to achieve it. Of course, no one has ever understood how perfect they already are, but I digress.9

I had slid off the rock, while laughing and you were on your knees. things were better now. We both were at a disadvantage. “Hello, my names Tom. And you are?” I said from my side of the circle.10

“I am Melissa. What are you doing here?” you inquired, like any good lady trying to ensure her safety.11

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“I dunno,” was my immediate response. “But, I do know we need to get off our hands and knees.” Rising to my feet, I offered you my hand. Like any maiden true, you accepted my kind offer and rose to your feet. I dusted of my seat with a wave of my hand. You curtsied and accepted the seat.13

Now the pixies and fairies n the wood did agree that they like the flavor and sight of you and me. They leaned over flower petal and root with much curiosity trying to be quiet, trying to hear what went on between you and me. they could feel it, that special something in the air. The air was thick with magic and waiting spells. The dryads and oreads leaned hard against the shells of their trees and rocks fascinated by the son that was singing below the ground. 14

A ray of light fell upon our hands as you took your seat, highlighting the size and darkness of mine. I was caught for a moment, before my eyes traveled up your arms to your eyes. We swam in a psychic sea and we flowed in and out of each other before we had a chance to recognize how vulnerable we were. I dropped you hand as if stung. You smiled and light filled your face and somehow I felt young and foolish. I could see you had no idea of your affect on me and I longed to hold your hand again. Knowing that if you shared touch with me, no words would be required. Feeling the tingle through my skin, cells alerted, I felt my tongue grow thick and my balance leave.15

“Tom, “ you said. “Tom , that is your name isn’t it?” I nodded unable to speak. “Have a seat please. It makes me nervous having you stand over me.”  I must of gone pale below my tan.16

“Are you all right?” you inquired. “You look pale. Please! Sit down.”17

I lowered myself to a rock, I hadn’t seen before. Strange -- how things show up when you let them, if you let them. We began to talk. Stumbling at first, over who should go first, where to start -- but, after we got over our discomfort, our stories began to pour forth. We quickly settled in to the attentive listening that occurs when you want to absorb everything another says.18

Now -- You told me about your pain. How you were loved, but not worth loving. You talked about feeling tainted and foul and how it hurt you to feel this way. How it made you angry. How you had been angry and hurt today by someone’s sharp tongue. You told me, you took hurt i n and pushed love out.19

Then -- I spun my tale of how love shows up in the sharing. I went deeper and talked about how I’d learned that we could choose the life we were making and I was learning how. The hardest part, I said20

was learning what you didn’t know you didn’t know.21

I admitted kind of sadly -- how I too had led a life of pain and fear. While I knew beauty and love, I was in process of recreating my life so I could include it. I say you smile while I all this. I knew you were being kind and open hearted to be listening to such a fool as me go on about his big thoughts, when I had such little dreams.22

The pixies and fairies were rustling the leaves, whispers love into the breezes. The dryads were gently waving the trees to make the light dance across you and me. The elves, always a little shy, had started creeping in, drawn by the magic and love in the wind. The glen began to shine in that secret way that glens do. It happens whenever the light of love begins to glow within.23

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We talked, till we were empty of the chatter in our heads. We sat quietly in our little secret glen. The whispers of the leaves and the breaths of the breeze filling our ears and, as we breathed in, we warmed our hearts with magic, while the big magic was quietly unlocking our souls.25

You looked over at me and i didn’t look so old and perhaps, I wasn’t. You liked my white, but wanted to trim my mustache. Found yourself wondering, what  would it be like to kiss me. Then, scolded yourself for such thoughts. Still . . . Started looking at my hands. Strong and firm, but, you knew, how gentle their touch was. Their touch . . . and again you reined in your mind. Now you were feeling stupid and didn’t want to blush. Looked at me and said, “Come sit here, beside me.”26

There was a stillness that seemed to break and sigh as I got up. You could hear my footsteps being swallowed by hushing moss. The stone, large, suddenly -- didn’t seem big enough. I sat touching your hip with my hip and magically took one of your hands that felt so alone. Your hip seemed to burn from my touch. All at once, every never in your body felt alive. You could feel every cell demanding your attention, asking to be heard. The door to your soul opened and you knew joy. 27

I could feel the shifts and turns, I was learning fast, but there was too much to learn. As much as I knew, I felt confused. things were changing and  the old was becoming new. I was aware of your scars and pain, hurts to be healed, understandings to be created and how much I realized, I needed you. This was frightening. I could see you were pretty in  your own special way. Physically attractive, yes, but this was just a diversion. I shook my head. No running away. It is hard to sense and feel more than you know. I want to understand immediately, but all too often patience is what I need. I want to hold and heal, but all too often that isn’t your job to do. I felt all these things, but my heart was singing and my thoughts ran so fast, they blurred. I just wanted to sit, I admit, and drink you in.28

I felt I had to do something, when I probably had to do nothing at all. There is safety in doing when being, just being, feels like too much and your tingling body and pounding heart wants a break. I tuned to face you and felt a loss as our bodies separated. Still holding your wonderful hand, I took your other one as well and asked you, told you, and begged you all at once, “Come with me. I must show you something. Something beautiful, it will take your breathe away. Please?”29

You knew you’d go anywhere with me. Even as you didn’t know how you felt, but were feeling more than you could tell. Besides, sometimes, rare times, you just have to go along. Not ‘cause of right versus wrong or better rather than worse; simply -- it’s right and you just know everything else is not right. Coyly and embarrassed, angry because you didn’t want to sound girly, you said. “Show Me.”30

I took your hand and led you back amongst the rocks. Up and around and through. Helped you up a stiff climb and we laughed and got closer because we had no reasons to stop. We remembered our leaving as the forest held its breath. We remembered, even if, we didn’t know that all the way the magical creatures tiptoed behind us till, they had to let us go.31

Morning had passed to midday and we were glowing from our exertions. We turned ‘round a corner and I gasped, “Yes, I have found it.”32

If I hadn’t, you wondered, would I have been leading you on and other silly thoughts. Then, there it was. We were surprised by the by the lack of fair warning. On a sandy cliff’s edge, we could see, to the right and to the left, up and down the coast and below, way below, you could see and if you listened, you could hear the waves crashing below. The world had opened its doors to you and now, before you knew it, you had stepped in. Alone, but, not lonely -- open to the universe, and not feeling insignificant -- no, you were here with strange wonderful man, who was teaching you how to breathe in love. He, just, didn’t know he was doing it. Maybe he never would. You were found yourself crying, heart bursting, immobilized and fraught with a desperation to move. Before you had time to think, you turned towards him and turned him towards you and gave him a huge hug.33

Final Chapter 34

I hugged you back and, for a moment,  it felt like you were falling into me. (Now this cliff had its own magic, the magic of release, letting go) After eternity had passed and you began to breathe again, in time with my own breath -- when you opened your eyes to the to the rainbows, that were hiding in them -- you put your hands on my shoulders and pushed me away. I leaned back. Most importantly, I didn’t let go. You looked at me, trying to look into me. You were ready to kiss me, but you couldn’t kiss  me. You wanted me to do something, would have let me do anything -- but, would have felt slighted, made less by whatever I had done. You looked at me. Following the mood, on track with the times and all the other excuses you could think of -- you kissed me. The kiss -- a gentle brush of the lips, almost chaste, passion a promise. A kiss -- a safe action in the face of your sense of abandon.35

I wanted to respond, couldn’t respond except to give, in return, my share of everything you gave me. I could feel you here with me  on the edge of forever. I could feel you flying, see you crying and I was following the magic wherever it called. It called me to your heart and I felt blessed that I could be so called. I could only stand quietly and be warmed by your fires. From the moment you hugged me close to the moment you pushed me away -- I knew I wasn’t leaving -- you were showing me the way to your heart and your love was leading. 36

The kiss -- this simple plain statement -- was caught by the waves as they hushed and sizzled across the plains; snatched by the mountain winds that shared its warmth with the oreads in the rocks, until they awoke to let it in; taken by the earth and carried to the inner fires where life begins. And you knew, from your heels to your head where it all led. You could feel the strength of the earth fill your body and the winds armor you, as you become a prophet of love and the  waters surging below called your own waters forth and they sought to quench the fires growing, the fires you felt in me.37

You pulled me back into your arms. Enfolded me with your heart. You whispered in my ear, “Take me. Take me back to our quiet glen. Quickly!”38

My large hand enfolded one of yours. You knew this is where you belonged, surrounded like your hand. I led for this short while, warm from the feeling of trust I received from you. Like little kids scrambling around a playground we came off the mountain and down to the forest. Our acceptance of each other led to an acceptance of the way it is and we saw all the paths and knew where they led. Picking quickly, but choosing with care, we flowed through our surroundings and back to the glen. “Stop,” I said quietly.39

I lifted you up and cradled you in my arms. You knew safety, acceptance, strength and you kissed me on the cheek. I stepped through the guarding brambles that parted before our progress. I entered our private bower. You knew, as  you looked around, before I set you down, you knew you had come home. For the magic of belonging had been set free. You knew you belonged in this life. You knew the goodness of this rich earth that coursed through your blood without taint. you could feel your fertile fields no longer laying fallow, but ready for seed. You felt in your heart that all your care was accepted and shared by those in need. Once and now, the world was right. Right now. I set you down. lightly upon your feet. You still leaned back into the arm around your back and placed your arm around me. 40

The glen was building shadows for the sun was going  down. You almost caught sight of the pixies, ‘cause they were slowing down. You noticed the rabbit, and chipmunks looking on, these steeds of the elves, who were  making sure that when we were done they were ready to clean away all traces of our fun.41

We walked around to the tree formed room. The quiet cave, we knew was our bedroom. Once there, without a word, you unbuttoned my shirt. Spread it with your own denim shirt up the leafy, mossy good earth. You lie down and invited me to lie beside you. As I lay beside you, you reached back and took off your bra and placed it above your  head. Then, before I could respond, you pushed me upon my back. You brushed your breasts across my face, letting me nuzzle and suck. Just enough to catch your breath before you brought your lips down to meet mine. Yes, meet mine. Now, that all the kindling had been laid, you brought your lips to meet mine, to light the fire. Fire!42

Your tongue ran across my lips and rubbed against my tongue as it peeked forth. Following the path of my tongue into my mouth, we followed each other back and forth, exploring and discovering how deep the waters of our passion ran and how strong the fires would burn, before they could be put out. After this kiss, this throwing back the doors to the room of your bliss, you collapsed on to your back. We laid still for a moment catching our breath. As if following someone else’s instructions, we knew there was no rush, everything was ordained and we should take our time. We had time to receive this gift.43

Receive it we did, as we discovered, the texture and form of each others arms and breasts. Exploring each others hands and finger tips, giving each the chance to feel the strength and sensitivity hidden there. Taking turns at pulling of the rest of each others clothes, laughing as we fumbled with buttons. Receiving each others physical love. As you allowed me to run my tongue around your lips, drinking from your salty rivers, I could feel your fierce strength as your hands clutched my arms, my head -- in your hips as you surged upward. You and your hungry mouth consuming me from head to toe. Teasing and playing with my ears, my neck, nipples, finger tips, toes. Running your tongue up my inner thigh to take the root of my passion into your mouth, lifting me to places I hadn’t visited before.44

There -- drinking me down with hungry delight. Leaving me weak and spent. It was as if I had given you all my strength. We lie -- you nestled warm in my arms, one of your arms tossed across my chest. We lie spent. 45

We look out from our cavern, catch our breaths. In the silver moon light, dancing around the flowers, climbing moon beam stairs, we saw the fairies. We watched hushed as the pixies wove in out of the flowers in their own answering parade.46

At last, possessed by the magic, the desire and one another, we blended into one another. Created our own fire all over again, bringing each other up to visit the heights all over again. Until, spiraling down, we felt the waves of peace and serenity wash across us. You and me. . . Breath and Light, the wind tucked in and still for the night. Slipping down into our physical together, we slumber and dream.47

This is the end of my story. I want to say thank you to the beings of magic for their participation. I want to thank God for providing the inspiration and letting my creation take on a life of its own. Most of all, I want to thank my reader for allowing me to take them along. Good bye. Pleasant dreams.48

The sequel.49

Back to me -- a river of dark hair -- I came upon her. I could hear the summer wind playing with her green skirts. Over her shoulder, I glimpsed magic hiding in a glen. The trees, tall, a leafy crenelated wall around this haven. I had come, pulled from my sleep, drawn by a song. I hadn’t known I wouldn’t be alone. The magic had stirred and its swirling currents had carried me hither. I was strangely quiet. Her hand held a up the bough of a tree, a curtain, when drawn, that  revealed a magical hideaway with in this deep dark forest. 50

Before I could let her know I was behind her, she released the branch and turned around. In drawn breath, hand raised, she was ready to strike out to protect herself. “Oh! I am so glad its you,” she cried and ran to me. Hugging me, she pressed her cheek upon my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, feeling her rapid breathing flutter against my torso. “I didn’t know if you’d come. I felt I had to. I slipped away while they slept to visit my hearts home.” With that she turned, bent to pick up a basket and a throw. Over her shoulder she said ” I couldn’t enter. I kept looking and I couldn’t go in. I was afraid, you wouldn’t come and I’d be looking at a memory -- forever.51

The bough lifted away. The glen’s floor was a coruscation of light beams flickering magically. I felt we were being watched. Maybe it was the magic, for it was a warm and welcoming feeling as well. You went across to the rock and spread the throw. Set it like a table with goblets of wine and a plate of delicate confections. Swirling about in your dress you amazed me with your fluid flow of felicity. “Silly man, 52

join me.”53

Still unable to say a word, I came over and sat down. The forest had been dark, but the glen was full of a warm green light. I felt swirls of air eddy about me as  I moved to sit beside you. “What brought you here?” you asked.54

“I answered the call,” was all I could say.55

“ I awoke and knew this is where I had to be. I knew you’d be here as surely as if you’d told me. I wanted to look pretty for you.” You stood and swirled about. A dream that made my heart shout. I sipped the wine to hide my confusion. I tried to relax. I hadn’t forgotten our night together. Instead, I had cursed myself for not getting your name, for not following you home, for not doing something to make sure, we saw each other again. I had trusted my feelings and I was sure I had been a fool. Now here she was before me and I couldn’t get my eyes in focus.56

“You’re crying! Have I done something wrong.”57

“I am not crying,” I huffed, but I touched my face and it was wet with tears. “I am,” I whispered, “I am crying.”58

“Silly man,” she said again. Coming over to me, she kisses  away all my tears. “I didn’t know you cared,” she grinned coquettishly. Lifted he other cup to her lips. her eyes watching me over the brim.59

I put down my goblet, most of the wine untouched. Leaned on my arm as I leaned towards you. You lowered your cu and we kissed. Slowly at first, as if our lips needed time to become reacquainted, rediscovering the roughness, smoothness, taste/ Then, we moved closer, wrapping our arms around one another and the kiss became deeper as we reawakened to how much we needed to be together. Lips can speak so many languages. Touching, they can only reveal feelings. You always know the truth in a kiss, should you want to hear it. Hear it we did and we responded with every cell of our being. Finally -- we revisited eternity and knew where time stopped -- we withdrew. Looked at each other and in unison had a taste of wine. We learned the magic is different the second time. We had to unlearn our expectations and learn how to regain our innocence. You took a sweet and placed it in my mouth. I sucked the sugar off your fingers. you laughed. Your laughter melted my icy fears. My shoulders fell down from my ears. I realized the magic hadn’t made you. No, you wanted to be here, “With me,” I thought. “With me,” I said out loud. 60

“Yes, I am, for now. Accept that, accept me. I am yours till the day awakes,” you said sadly.61

“Why?”62

“Later, we will talk later. Drink your wine. Love me and it will be clear later.”63

So, drink we did and made the confections disappear. Quietly and intently -- afraid of what we might say -- afraid of what we might lose. Each alone with their thoughts and closing up. The glen seemed to growl,  I thought and darkness was straining to creep out from under the bushes. Once we were done, you stood and stored the dishes back in the basket. Asked me to move and then together, we folded the throw.64

The summer wind had a chill taste of fall in it. Little did we know that the oread within our rock had been deeply saddened by an affair with a fawn. When we kissed, she had drunk so deeply that our fears had risen as our hopes lowered. The glen was in an uproar. Nymphs were lifting their skirts and quickly coming our way. The Dryads had their trees huddle closer to share their warmth and keep us from running away. The magic began to thrum, a deep heartfelt beat. The pixies surrounded our rock, their brown caps creating a field of mushrooms, leaving only one clear path. The fairies began to cascade from the trees riding the light, a flashing call to our hearts. The nymphs saved the day. 65

As we moved together to fold the throw, we stumbled into one another. I think we were tripped. We dropped the blanket and you grabbed my neck and I wrapped my hands around your waist. The nymphs whispered, “Kiss. Kiss,” and we did. Like it was an accident at first, then deeper. My tongue touched your lips first and your mouth opened inviting me in. Our tongues touched and danced with one another, raising our passion and setting our nerves on fire. My hands left your waist to knead your back muscles, loosen the ones along your spine to rush done your back and cling to your hips pulling you against me.66

I felt your hands around neck, slid down to the small of my back and pull me tightly to you. Finally, our faces wet from passion and feeling a little silly, we pulled apart. A sigh ran through the tree tops and darkness slithered back outside the glen. 67

“I love you,” I said.68

“Don’t,” you cried and tears filled your eyes. The leaves on the trees fluttered. “ I love you, but I can’t, not now. I will love you forever,”69

you whispered through the tears. The brownies shuffled.70

“For now, let us just forget about tomorrow,” I said for lack of a better response.71

“For now!” and you fell back into my arms quivering with tears, squeezing me with all your might. I held you and I knew I would hold you forever, if you needed me to. After awhile, your  tears stopped an you kissed the side of my neck. Pulling away, but no farther than my arms around you, you looked at me -- I could hear the wheels turn -- you told me , “Pick up the throw.”72

I did eagerly.73

“My bold handsome man,” you said taking me by the hand. Together we followed the proscribed path to our cave within this magical place where the quiet became private, special and safe. i spread out the blanket. You sat down. Not quite totally in the cave. 74

I slid behind you. Wrapped my arms around you and put my chin on your shoulder.75

“Is it me? Is it you? Or is it this place?” You sat quietly caressing the side of my face with your hand. You ran your fingers across my lips and I kissed them one by one. Then, I came to your index finger and nibbled on it. Sucked into my mouth, ran my tongue around it. You sighed. “I give” Turned to face me and took me into your arms . I laid you upon your back and kissed you quickly once, twice, while my palm rested on your belly. You took my hand and stroked your body with it. Then, left it between your breasts.76

Slowly, starting at your neck, holding my breath, every nerve in my hand tingling, I undid one button. You sighed and closed your eyes. I undid the second button. I unbuttoned all eight buttons. Your eyes opened, my hand rested on your belly. You smiled, sat up and pushed me onto my back. You unbuttoned my shirt, starting at the top. I wondered if you felt like I felt. When you reached my waist, you rested your hand upon my belly. I opened my eyes and pushed your blouse off your shoulders. 77

“Here, let me help,” and you pulled the blouse off. I up and pulled you to me and undid your bra. Slipped it off you. Relished the feeling of your breasts against my chest. Nothing was flowing. We had to work and work each step of the way. You pushed my shirt off me. I pulled your skirts loose. You unbuckled, unbuttoned my pants. I stopped you. Sat up and pulled them off. 78

Where was the magic?79

We stopped. Suddenly feeling naked and foolish. We wanted to lover each other. We wanted to swim in each others spirit. We were not children. Why did something so right feel wrong. there was grinding sound outside our hearing as the whole glen stopped. magic stood still. We sat side by side, bare shoulder to bare shoulder, bare hip to bare hip.80

I noticed that I really liked the shape of your breasts and your nipples delectable as ever. Even your knees were dimpled and cute. you were thinking that I had a nice furry chest and, thank goodness, none on my back. you liked my pecs and the shape of my nipples. My stomach could use some work, but you kind of liked my lack of white knight pretensions. i was someone you could be comfortable with. 81

“What’s wrong,” I asked, feeling totally out of the flow. 82

“I didn’t think it could last. Even all this magic couldn’t revive my life. I’have lost my belief.”83

“Well, let us start all over in a civilized way,” I said putting on my fake British accent. “My name is Tom. Glad to make your acquaintance. And your . . .?84

“My name is Melissa. Charmed, I am sure.” We giggled. We laughed. The wheels of magic started to turn. I told you I was married, had the wife and one child. My job situation was sticky and we were almost bankrupt. I said I couldn’t worry. I’d get depressed and I couldn’t do that ‘cause I wouldn’t give up.85

You told me about your condition, the husband with two kids and how you hate your job. You felt caught and depressed ‘cause you couldn’t see a way out from your dead end job. The magic was grinding slowly and a light crossed our eyes.86

“Tell you what,” I stated boldly, “we need fantasy to keep the spirit running , a place outside of our reality, where we can feel alive. We are honest and decent people with a talent for words as out art. I think if we were both willing, trust each other, and never lie about what’s right, then we can return to our fantasy life, more alive than ever before ‘cause we won’t endanger our other life.”87

The magic was turning faster, a subliminal hum began. Suddenly, in the  clearing in the center where the white light fell, a figure appeared. Long white hair, that glowed as it flowed over his brocaded cloak. he was clean shaven and leaned on his staff. the staff had a snow white pearl on top about the size of my head.88

I felt like a child in his presence. When I looked at you, your eyes were riveted on him. Your knees pulled up to your chest, arms wrapped around your legs and your chin resting on your knees.89

“You both have been reshaped and reformed so you can be all that you have been born to. You can give each other the pieces that have been missing. Let the good flow. Swim deeply in each others waters. Stand tall and let the energy flow. Scars shall sloughed off and wounds disappear. No one of you is greater, but separate you are far less.” He lifted his staff and the pearl began to glow. Light radiated all around us and I could feel the flow. Then, as quickly as he appeared, he was gone. Leaving a dance of fairies swirling in the moonlight.90

You put your arms around me and placed your lips on my lips. Pushed me onto my back. Climbed up on top of me to sit on my stomach. Put your hands on my chest. Looked me straight in the eyes. “Your part of me now. I will always be whole when I have you in my life. My relationships will be richer, my love deeper. I will not be denied.” You weren’t yelling, but your voice made every muscle n my body quiver and yearn. I could only accept, like I accept you and know it was good.91

You felt my face, like a blind person discovering  what I look like. i found myself kissing your hands as they brushed my lips. you slid back until you were lying full length on top of me, letting your flesh form to mine. After breath had blended with breath and our cells had time to memorize each others form, I rolled over on to my side.92

I slid a leg between yours and had your head cradled close to mine, noses almost touching. I could feel your breath on my face. I had so much I wanted to say and I knew that none of it needed to be said. I listened to my heart and within the beats of my heart, I heard my soul. “You have deepened the river of my spirit. Strengthened the flow. I am an open valley, richer for the dark earth you spread across it. To touch your heart is to touch my own. With you -- in peace. Without you -- in pain. Walk with me.”93

I kissed you and felt you gather all your love to greet me. A light began to enfold us and bells from the fairies ankles began to chime. The dryads joined the oreads and spread out a blanket of peaceful healing energy for us to be held by. 94

Your light seemed to radiate from the depth of your soul. I felt your soul beckon to me, open to me, mingle with me. A richness, chocolate, crossed my tongue; salty oceans, fresh fruity aromas filled my nostrils; silk, static electricity, covered my body and within, blue skies, trees swaying in breezes that danced across my nerves.95

My fingers explored your cells and how they united to create you. Your hands touched me and felt my muscles surrender and melt under your touch. We danced to a  music that melded the beat of our hearts, the pulse of our blood into a rhythm that guided our every step . Step by step, we moved deeper, past passion to visit places where words surrender their meaning and new sounds must be created. Around and around we flowed, creating new colors and tones -- discovering one another, but discovering more -- what us meant.96

Us. Two letters never could hold the currents that we could only attempt to  taste in the cup of our hearts. Our bodies dancing a hard and soft musky dance that made the air rich and fertile:enchantment to our nostrils. God had transported us to Eden and our impoverished souls experienced rapture and oneness -- together. We didn’t make love. We were, are love. Until, gowned in all the glory of our being, we stopped and were still. And we laughed. So full of joy that our tears sparkled in our eyes and we held hands, entwined legs. We were together, apart. We no longer knew how to be alone and could only begin to learn together. We changed. Ineffably changed. There were had lessons ahead. People, who would not want to know their hopes and dreams were possible, because we had it. We knew, sadly, this was once -- forever -- and we still lived in a universe chained by time.97

I can’t write anymore at this time. The story isn’t over nor my writing of it. This sequel is done. This reel is over. Again, I thank all the keepers of magic for making this possible. I thank God for gifting this time. I want to thank the  reader for putting up with my efforts at sharing this. May everyone be blessed by love in the reading of this.98