by Ian Tremblay
Richard listened intently, in silence and respect, asking questions here and there, and when he spoke, it was in a soft, soothing tone, and his voice was like music to Linda's ears. He shared with her the pathetic story of what his life had been since they had been separated, of his descent into hell and his many brushes with death. He told her some of the worst things he had done or that had happened to him, at least the ones he could remember. He was not proud of where he had been and what he had done, but in order to heal, he explained to her that it was important that he share with other human beings the depths to which he had fallen. He told her that he had hit his lowest point when his father died. His mother had been unable to reach him, and he had never made it to the funeral or the burial. He had only found out a year later, and it had broken his mother's heart. He was very ashamed of that, and he said he would never forgive himself. He explained to Linda that he lived with his mother now and that he was trying to make good by her for all the years that he had forgotten and neglected her. He worked at the local library and had no one in his life; as a matter of fact, he had never married. Both he and Linda were so absorbed in telling their respective stories that neither of them saw the time pass. In a way, it felt like they had never been apart.
When they had finally talked themselves out, there was an awkward silence for a second or two. Richard got up and slowly hobbled across the half-lit room toward Linda. Her heart lurched and began to beat fast when she saw him coming in her direction. With great difficulty because of his stiff leg, Richard got down on one knee in front of her. He took her scarred hand into his and stroked it gently and kissed it. Her hand trembled, and she felt that he could see her through the veil when he looked at her. She was speechless and did not know what to do or say. It had been years since a man had taken her hand that way, and she had forgotten what it felt like.
"Linda, I just want to tell you that for me, you're the only woman who has ever meant anything in my life. I don't care what you look like; it's of no importance to me. I loved you back then, more than myself and more than life itself, as I love you now, Linda, and I always will. I came here to be sure of that, and now I am sure. I've never stopped loving you, Linda, never, even in the darkest moments of my existence; my heart always has and always will belong to you and to you alone. Being here today and talking to you-well, I'm just overwhelmed by the feelings that are exploding inside of me. I know I hurt you in the past, Linda. I hurt you bad," tears began to roll down his face, "I beg you to forgive me and to open your heart to me again. Please, Linda, I swear I'll make it up to you. I swear on everything that I hold sacred and holy. I want to be with you, Linda, for the rest of my life. There is no doubt in my heart; I would be the happiest person in the world if you accepted." Overcome by his emotions, Richard bowed his tear-drenched face and kissed her hand again, holding it with both of his. His large shoulders began to shake, and he let out a few muffled sobs.
Linda was overtaken by Richard's sudden declaration and surge of emotions. Tears rolled down her face too, she squeezed Richard's hand and whispered, "Oh Richard, Richard." She gasped for air and raised his hands to her lips beneath her veil, kissing them tenderly and drenching them with her tears.
"I love you too, Richard. I've always loved you, and I'll always love only you."
Richard threw himself into her lap, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her tightly and sobbing like a baby. Linda gently stroked his hair and caressed his face.
"Oh, Linda, Linda, I'm so sorry, so sorry. God I love you." He slowly raised his head and looked at her; his eyes were filled with tears and with the unconditional love he felt for her. She bent her head toward him and lifted her veil and kissed his face and tears and gently passed her lips on his.
"Promise me we'll be together for the rest of our lives, Linda, promise me," he managed to say through his sobs.
"I promise, Richard, I promise."
THE END
About The Author
Ian Tremblay is an indie author who works in the entertainment business and is an avid world traveler and fishing aficionado. He studied English Literature and has self-published three other books, Tales of Inhumanity and Retribution, Tales of Duplicity and Discontent and The Illegal and the Refugee-An American Love Story.
Some of the individual stories of his first two books are in the process of being made available on all digital platforms as well as in paperback. The first two stories, Aisha-A Tale of Retribution and The Death and Life of Gustav Henn have been published in 2015.
Rich Homeless Broken But Beautiful is the third and is the story of Linda Staunton, a strikingly beautiful young woman who experiences a life changing traumatic event and more pain and heartache before she is twenty-five than most people do in a lifetime. She eventually learns to face her challenges and then slowly discovers her inner strength and the curative powers of the heart. If you wish to find out more about the author go to his website www.iantremblay.com