She turned and I recoiled in fear, for she wore a gown and veil like those of the desert women.
“Why are you afraid?”
“This cannot be! Take off that hideous mask.”
“Of what deception do you speak?”
As she stepped closer to the light, the veil slowly vanished—her face now free from the shadows of memory. Her face glowed with expectation and her motley frock dazzled with the radiance of youth.
“What do you hold in your hand?” she asked.
“The cause of my woe.”
“Sit beside me,” she said. “Confide your sorrow.”
I recounted the details of my hapless wanderings. Cindy quietly listened. At story’s end, desire glowed in her eyes.
“In the telling of misfortune, grim thoughts are released,” she said. “You shall be safe in my arms. Tell me, Marcus. Did you really mean what you said ’bout marrying me?”
“’Course I did,” I sighed. “Though that be long ago, for little hope now resides within this fallible soul.”
She pressed my hand to her cheek and slowly we strolled upon a starlit aisle toward an altar of satin and down. We took our vows in which love whispered softly, but unrestrained. My eyelids closed and I floated above a simple melody as I lay upon her bed. Wasn’t long after my feet left the floor that her kisses pierced my heart, and the gold nugget fell from my hand.
Well written fable. Thoughtful ideas about man search for things of lesser value that hide more important issues. Do we suffer little deaths while searching for the unattainable? What should we be doing instead? What is living all about? Thoroughly enjoyable and thoughtful read.
Beautifully written