As I sat down to start working on chapter 34, I realized that I needed to add some kind of 'closure' to Erik's confession. I ended up writing the following very short piece. In the proper order of things, this is still chapter 33. This is a very short piece, but really deserves to be posted by itself, and not tacked onto the next chapter. Chapter 34 will be ready sometime next week, as I'm still working on some of the background research. -HD
-0-0-0-
Chapter 33
Memories Bitter and Sweet
Part 3
-0-0-0-
Monday, April 11, 1881
Late afternoon
As they went to leave the chapel, the first thing Erik noticed was that the ground was damp, and there were small puddles shimmering atop the weathered rocks. Apparently, a shower had passed overhead while he and Christine had been inside. Off to the west, the sky was now clear, and the late afternoon sun hung low on the horizon, its golden light reflecting brightly off the ocean waves. The rain was gone and what clouds that remained had moved off to the east, leaving the air behind them fresh and clean.
Taking a deep breath, that was how Erik felt – cleansed. The terrible emotional burden he had carried for so long had been removed this afternoon on the beach of St. Guirec. No more would he ever feel isolated and misunderstood. For the first time in his life, he felt not just love, but unconditional acceptance. No longer was he carrying the burden of his past alone. Christine had listened to his story, had not been judgmental in the least. On the contrary, she offered compassion and understanding, helping him to recognize that Aref had been right all those years ago, that there was something worth salvaging from a life that for so many years had not seemed worth living.
Turning to Christine, he took her hand in his. "Are you ready to go home?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes. It's been a long day."
"Do you think Mamma is worried, concerned that we've been for so long?"
In spite of wondering whether Mamma might be concerned at their being gone so long, they took their time walking back to the house, wanting to enjoy each other's presence. Whenever he would look at Christine, there was a tenderness about her. She smiled at him often, squeezed his hand, and leaned her head against his shoulders as they walked. They spoke little, because words were not necessary.
When they reached Mamma's cottage, Erik was completely and utterly drained. Inside the house, Christine accompanied Erik to his room, suggesting that he lie down and got some rest while went back downstairs and helped Mamma prepare supper. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Erik had barely enough energy to remove his shoes.
Christine helped him off with his jacket, and hung it on a hanger. By the time she turned around, he was laying on the bed, already fast asleep. Pulling the curtains shut to darken the room, she went over to the bed and drew the coverlid up over him, kissing his forehead before closing the door and going downstairs to see if Mamma needed some help.
-0-0-0-