Zo

by Leanne Owens

  You are the plant that grew and supported the petals that all those in the future will look at, and I want people to know you, not just the exquisite colours you provided to the garden of humanity.

  My fear is that they will not know you for the man you are, that they will see the politics and the words of your enemies and not know you. They will never know you how I have known you, as a man of infinite wisdom, compassion, and vision, a man who understood that the best use of money was to make all lives better with the art that makes our souls sing. Even Savonarola, my hated Giro, could see that in the end. Your friends saw it in his eyes on that last day: respect for a great man, a man who was more than he could ever hope to be. It was the only time they ever saw Giro humbled.

  I pray to a God in whom I have no faith that we will meet again. I hope that those fleeting visions that have plagued me all my life are brief images of another place where we will meet. Please wait for me, Zo, wherever you have gone, as I will find you and hold you forever. You promised me eternity – I will hold you to that promise.

  Until we meet again, there is an ocean of emotion washing away at these shores, and when all the sand is gone, I will be set free from this place and I will join you. Sometimes, living is the hardest thing to do, but it is always the right choice.

  Marcus paused to wipe the tears from his face and noticed that everyone else appeared just as moved, if not distraught, by the letter. Except Ally, who remained staring over the bay, her face serene.

  ‘It is signed Elli S. with a flourish underneath the name,’ he concluded.

  ‘Ally,’ began Sandy, not sure of what to say. The letter changed their understanding of reality. It was beyond the touch of words. She wanted to cry and dance, shout, laugh, and sob, yet Ally looked unmoved.

  ‘I didn’t think they’d ever be found,’ murmured Ally, her eyes still fixed on the distance. That ocean of emotion had calmed to a tranquil sea, and the turbulence that once tore at her was at rest. As she gazed on the choppy surface of Corio Bay, she felt at peace. Elli truly existed outside her mind. There was neither surprise nor joy in her heart, but she did have a profound sense of relief.

  'Are you alright, Ally?' Lynette asked, concern in her voice.

  Ally nodded. Yes, she was alright. This wasn't upsetting, it was liberating. ‘Do they have the translation of the other letter?'

  ‘Yes, it’s here,’ affirmed Marcus.

  ‘Can you read it? Please.’ Ally flicked him a glance before focussing back on the distance.

  ‘It is dated April 7, 1492,’ he began, fighting to keep his voice even.

  I know my time is coming to an end, and I wish to meet it on my terms, as always. When you read this, I will have met with Giro and ensured that he will not harm you. I can sleep in peace knowing you are safe. Our good friend A. will take you home as my death is no place for you – you had my life.

  Return to your home near the river and live quietly and safely. Our most trusted will watch over you and keep you from harm, both from my enemies and from my family. I can go in peace knowing you are safe.

  Don’t be angry at me, little one, and don’t remember me in sadness, for that is not what our lives were about. Do not stand by my crypt and weep as that does not honour what we had. Rejoice in our time, for it contained more joy than most can know in a hundred years.

  Think on the hunting and the hawking, laugh at the wild races on fast horses, celebrate the merriment and the friendship. Dwell on the kisses and the singing of our flesh, for these are the diamonds of our lives. Remember the songs and the dance, the poems I wrote for you, and the songs I sang for you. Hold dear the places of happiness, the people we loved, and our time together. Hold all those moments dear and know that they are my treasures, for now and forever.

  If we have a soul that can go beyond this physical life, mine shall ever remain entwined with yours. I do not regret that I gave so much to family and Florence, but I dream of a life where I am free to live quietly with you. My soul is yours, as yours is mine, and may we meet in a future time and have the life for us. Take this ring as a sign of my love, and always choose life.

  Yours in eternity.

  Zo

  When Marcus stopped reading, Ally closed her eyes. There was no returning to him in Florence, she knew that, but she could still imagine the shadowy man from her childhood reaching out to lay an invisible hand on her shoulders.

  I’m choosing life, she silently told him.

  As you should, his thoughts brushed by.

  ‘Let’s head to the river,’ Ally opened her eyes to look at her friends. Sometimes, she thought, happy endings do not belong to the lovers, they belong to the friends. ‘It’s a good day for a walk.’

  ◆◆◆

  THE END

  ◆◆◆

  I hope you enjoyed this book enough to give me a five-star review as that helps others find my book (thank you so much if you do that, but I know it can be a bother). It would be wonderful if you liked it enough to share it with your reading groups. It is difficult to find success as an indie author these days, so every little bit helps.

  I fell in love with Lorenzo de’ Medici in my Form Four history class in 1974, and I hope you feel some of that magic.

  My book 'Muted', is available on Amazon – the story of a outback horseman who does not speak and a New York lawyer who’s forgotten how to feel, and between them lies the fate of 1,200 horses bred by her family’s pharmaceutical company. A story that grabs you from the start and keeps you reading, with plenty of twists, turns and surprises.

  I hope to have the third book about strong, independent, and intelligent women overcoming adversity out before the end of 2019 – a ripper of a story about an outback woman who takes on a White Supremacist organisation in order to recover her young daughter.

  I also think that I want to write a book about Elli and Zo - no link to the twentieth century, just their lives and love. If anyone thinks that's a good idea, let me know.

  If you like books about outback people and their horses, my series, The Outback Riders (Horses Of The Sun, Horses Of The Light, and Horses Of The Fire) are great to read – written for a younger audience than Zo and Muted, but enjoyed by adults as well. There's also a collection of stories, fictional and true, about outback horses - Flame The Fire Horse and Other Horse Stories.

  You can find me on Facebook as 'Leanne Owens -author', or email me at L.H.Owens@outlook.com I enjoy chatting to people who like my books!

  Thank you for reading my book and this note. You take care of yourself – be kind and may good things happen to you. XXOO Leanne O.