<br><br><center> *With clumsy tools of jealousy and desire, try to create a spell ethereal and delicate as dust on a moth's wing*
― F. Scott Fitzgerald</center>
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*Clare*</center>
<br><br>I was unnerved by the meeting between Tess and Clare. Even though it ended amicably there were still lingering questions in my mind.
I believe in second chances but wasn't aware that included second lives―or perhaps multiple meetings through time .
But just how far back Clare and I went I had no idea.
<br><br> Regardless, it did seem significant that both Clare and I suffered head traumas-―she being comatose for almost two years and I losing a significant portion of my autobiographical memory.
I wondered if our accidents were a coincidence or connected somehow to our apparent soul ties.
Perhaps Elias, my shrink, would call our head traumas meaningful coincidences and more evidence of what Jung called synchronicity.
<br><br>It certainly seemed our separate traumas in the external world were linked and meaningfully related to our thoughts, feeling and dreams―I can say for sure, Clare was certainly in mine.
But why was it everything about us was shrouded in mystery if the universe wanted us to meet again and work out our salvation?
Also, it was impossible to ignore the fact that West Harbour played a huge role in our remembering but it was also at times a place of torment akin to purgatory.
I was standing by the side of the road having left the SUV to get some fresh air and clear my head. There were a few stray rain drops like tears on the wind.
But no matter how hard I tried I couldn't work out my role in the breakup of Clare and Tess unless I knew if I were the cause or willingly participated in an affair.
Only Clare knew the answer to that.
<br><br>I walked back to the SUV and climbed into the drivers' seat next to Clare.
She had been crying and looked so beautiful and vulnerable she took my breath away.
If I hurt her now or in a past life I would never be able to forgive myself.
<br><br>"I need answers, Clare," I began. "I need to know if I initiated or willingly took part in an affair with Tess."
She was silent a moment. I thought she might not speak, but then she began in a soft, cultivated voice, refined to the point of a whisper.
"It wasn't that simple, Marcus. You met us both at the same time―and loved us both from the start. Tess had a physical power over you. Your love for me was more 'ethereal', at least, that's what you said. I have no doubt that's why you dreamt of me instead of her."
"But I'm also attracted to you too, Clare. I've dreamt of you all my life. Doesn't that tell you what you mean to me?"
<br><br>It began to rain. Clare stared out at the night through the rain jewelled pane.
"I know what I mean to you, Marcus, it's just that Clare will always be there."
"She will, but there will always be temptation, Love―it comes with being human."
"I wish we were in a garden with a huge iron fence around it and a sign that said, Keep Off!"
<br><br>I put my arm around her and she leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Our love is like this rain, Clare―it's an elemental. It will always endure."
She kissed me softly on the lips and I brushed away her tears.
"I know what you're saying is true, Marcus. I guess it was what I needed to hear."
I kissed her again and stroked her long hair. "C'mon Beauty, let me take you home―even goddesses need sleep."
<br><br><center>To be continued…</center>
<br><center>© 2020, John J Geddes. All rights reserved</center>
<br><center>[Photo](https://www.tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica.com/2016/04/Liseth-Visser.html )</center>
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