To Catch a Falling Star (46 page)
Read To Catch a Falling Star Online
Authors: L. Duarte
“I couldn’t take my mind off of you. I couldn’t stop my heart from loving you. I couldn’t stop you from coming to my dreams. You have to understand that being with Nola is not the right thing. You’re the only right thing for me. I love you, Mel. We were meant to be together.”
“Shhh,” I say. “You’re mine and I’m yours. We can’t change that,” I whisper against his lips.
“Mel, you mean it?”
My heart accelerates. “We’re soul mates, Tarry. Just like your grandpa said once.”
“God, Mel, I was so afraid you would tell me to leave.”
“I’ll never again tell you to leave, Tarry. I’m but an empty shell in your absence.”
Tarry hugs me and whispers on my ear, “You mean it, Mel?”
“Yes, Tarry. I mean it. No more doubts, no more regrets. I have to confess what I have not even accepted myself. I used Nola’s pregnancy as an excuse to send you away. I just realized I was using the
pain
of having lost Tim to shield me from having a new relationship. That’s me, Tarry, selfish and a coward. It was not only about you doing the right thing. I don’t think I could have lived with myself knowing that you left your son behind because of me, but it was beyond that. Deep down I was too afraid of losing you, so I decided to cut you from my life. Please forgive me, Tarry. I’m a coward.”
“No, Mel, you’re the bravest and most selfless person I’ve met. We were both lost. We both needed time to find our inner selves so we could find each other.”
“And for as long as you want me, Tarry, you can have me. Mind, body, and soul.”
“God, Mel. I want you for life.”
“I love you, Tarry.”
“I love you too, Mel. Let’s go home, baby, I need shaving. Badly.”
I know in my heart of hearts that, until the end of our days, the duty of shaving his beautiful face is mine alone. So I glance at his beautiful face and my fingers slide over his hairy cheeks. “Yes, baby, take me home.”
SOME SAY WE only have one soul mate during our lifetimes. Fortunately, that’s not my case. Tim was my first soul mate. When he died, my zing vanished. My life shattered. Then Tarry came along and restored my heart and my faith. He returned to me the thrill of living.
Life is full of unseen miracles, full of unsolved mysteries. At times, we catch a glimpse of them and it is enough to mesmerize us. The sight of a miracle or the insight of a mystery is a wonder to behold. It will take our stagnated breath away and return a fresher breath of air to our lungs.
I caught sight of many miracles along my meager years on this earth. My Tim is one of them. Together we had lived a fairy tale. After losing him, I wondered if happiness was elusive and love destructive. Life became bitter and living became torture. As consequence, I became blind to the trail of small miracles Tim left behind.
Tarry arrived like a landslide into my life and, though he was more broken than I ever was, he redirected me to the basics of loving and cleansed me of the poison that had seared through my blood. He rid me of the bitterness that grew in my heart, like pulling a weed growing between cracks in the pavement of a vacant parking lot.
Because of Tarry, if I focus enough, I can clearly see Tim’s dimpled smile. It’s a beautiful sight that has me astonished.
Today is the day I marry Tarry. As I stand at the door of the chapel Tarry had built by the lake shack I think of Tim. I think of the rare and pure beauty of our days together. My heart aches. I inhale deeply and tighten my hold of the chamomile bouquet. Dad approaches me.
“It’s time, Melody,” Dad says with moist eyes and a grin on his face.
“Dad, is it okay for me to wish Tim was here, even though if he was here I would not be marrying another man?”
“God, Melody, I wish I had an answer, but I think I would have a better shot at unraveling the mysteries of The Book of Revelation.”
I grin back at Dad and accept it’s okay not to have all the answers.
A realization dawns on me. Our fairy tale is what we write on the blank pages of our lives as we go through the unique journey allotted to us. We write our ordinary stories of our average lives with the choice of believing it to be a fairy tale.
I place my hand on the crook of Dad’s arm and the red door opens. “Sweet Life Melody” croons from the speakers. The intoxicating scent of chamomile overtakes my senses.
Before I step inside the sanctuary, fluttering wings catch my attention. I look to my side, where the sun is setting, flowers are huddling, and the lake is resting. I see the image of an eagle hovering over the placid water. The image is ethereal.
I look inside the dim-lit church to see Tarry. He is tall, sober, shaved… and waiting for me. His hand sweeps over his shaggy hair and a small smile dances on his lips.
I inhale deeply and I smile. Peace and closure wash over me. Then, I walk inside the church toward the man I deeply love.
After shaking Dad’s hand, Tarry takes my hand inside his calloused fingers. He kisses my lips softly. I look deep into his eyes.
I silently vow never to take for granted the beauty of my past, the joy of my present, nor the promises of my future. For everything under the sun has a season. And life is magnificently designed in such a marvelous way that it will allow us to enjoy or endure each and every moment during its due season.
The End
I WANT TO thank you all the wonderful people I met on this journey. Though I never seen you face to face, our exchange of emails is the best support I could ever ask for.
Renee, you’re a ninja blogger. You held my heart in your hands when you wrote that first review for Chasing Stars. I’m eternally grateful that our paths have crossed.
Chelsea, Wendy, and Kelli. Thank you for helping me tame this beast called manuscript. I appreciate every comment, every suggestion, and all the support.
Elizabeth and Kathie, thank you for granting me your rich knowledge, and sharp skills for all things grammar.
Lucy and Tina, you are the best friends a writer could have.
Dad, thank you for showing me the stars. You’re always in my heart and thoughts.
I HAVE FOUND that there is only one thing better than reading, and that is writing. I am always torn between the two. I am also frequently torn between chocolate and coffee. However, I emphatically do not like the month of February, lies, and flies. For me, bravery is defined by the courage to do what we fear the most. This conviction is reflected in my debut work of romantic fiction, Chasing Stars.
One of my all-time favorite quote is from Albert Einstein. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” I live according to the latter, so is fair to say my writing will always include miracles. And by that I mean, lots of love, hope, and faith. These are some of the greatest miracles of life. I live in Connecticut with my husband and two children. Drop a few lines. I would love to hear from you.
CONNECTIONS:
EMAIL
TWITTER
@LDuarte77
FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/luciana.duarte.7509836
https://www.facebook.com/pages/LDuarte/265326050277001?hc_location=timeline
WEBSITE
https://profiles.google.com/u/0/101051622201699883412
GOODREADS
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18188895-chasing-stars
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