romance – Rivers Renewed

Where the Sky was Once Blue Part III – 18+

When I took the elevator down to the third floor basement, I didn’t know what to expect. But there she was as soon as the doors opened. In all her glory, her skin actually shining in the blue/green healing bath and her naked chest bobbing gently. I was stunned.

“Don’t look too much stud man, you belong to Mari”, were the first words out of her mouth. I carried the tray to the table next to her and put it down. “Emma, you are absolutely gorgeous, your skin is shining, and your chest is extensive, so what do you expect me to do, walk with my eyes closed?” She smiled to the side of her mouth and said, “That’s just my way of razzing you stud man. Wait. I shouldn’t call you that, most men get their egos inflated that way.”

I offered her a drink, “Here, you need to stay hydrated.” She looked me over while drinking and said, “Mari was right you really are gorgeous. Brown skin with a touch of white and some Filipino. Gorgeous!”

“Don’t look too long supernatural one, I belong to Mari!” I couldn’t resist that one. A look of surprise dawned on her face. “Touché, dear one! And you have a sense of humor too. You really are the complete package.” Handing me the empty cup, she sank deeper into the tub, dunking her head, and for the first time I could see the tips of her damaged wings.

When she came up, I was bold enough to ask about her black eyes. “Your eyes are black so are you….” I stopped. “A vampire??” She finished it for me. “No, well in a way…. but it’s a long story. Don’t worry, I don’t drink human blood, especially that right wing crap! That stuff is horrible….” I decided not to ask any further.

After I handed her a towel she stepped out. She was very tall, and her wings were huge even with the burned edges. I turned away while she dried off and got dressed. Well, sort of dressed. “Pull up a chair. And we need to find you a new name…. it’s a type of rebirth you know…. we can even have a naming ceremony”, she said.

I sat down when she walked over. Bending down, taking my face in her hands, she searched, looking into my eyes. She touched my hair. “No dear one, an animal name won’t do for you…. H’mm.”

If you’ve never had a supernatural being look into your eyes I don’t recommend it! It’s like she could see every part of me, all at once.

Standing up she said, “I’ll have to think about it… Now go make love with your beautiful Mari, before I forget who I am!”

I left in a hurry.

I heard her laughing as the elevator door closed.

P.S. Clearly Emma and her friends are turning into a novella. I’m not sure yet about further chapters.

Thank you so much for reading!!

Where the Sky was Once Blue Part II – 18+

I was trying to wake up, but I kept dreaming of green fields in the sunlight below mountains, of rivers overflowing feeding oak trees and the willows. Cold air in the autumn. Mari was there dancing in the field, and Fernando was planting pine tree seedlings.

A few minutes later brushing my teeth brought me to my senses, while Mari was singing in Spanish, in the shower. Once she was done, she snuck up behind me, barely covered in a towel… as I watched her hands in the mirror reach for my belly. “I know a reason you and I are together”, she whispered.

“Don’t do it!” I said loudly. Too late. “It’s because we both have bellies!!” And she shook my tummy, laughing her head off, running away. I rinsed quickly, about to chase her, but when I looked up she was sitting on the edge of the bed, towel discarded, her jet black hair still dripping wet and falling over her shoulders, as she questioned me with her smile.

Uh-oh.

We never did make it down for breakfast. But by lunch time I had placed some grilled cheese sandwiches in a pan. I was slow cooking them so the cheese would melt. Fernando was at the table reading a book on sweetgrass, so I asked him if he wanted a grilled cheese. “No I’m making burgers in the basement.” “The basement?” I wondered if Mari knew.

Mari came down adding an explanation. “Fernando has his own kitchen downstairs…. actually two, one for food and one for plant science.” She added, “his burgers are plant based…” Eyeing my work she said, “Oh yum! Grilled cheese with cheddar. I’ll make the salad! By the way we have 4 levels of basement” “What??”

When we sat down to eat, “Mari said, “Hold out your arm honey”. I did but wondering why. She quickly held out hers. “Look”, she said “We are both brown…so that’s the real reason I think Emma placed us together. She knew I couldn’t tolerate a white man’s—” “Ok, ok I get it!” I cut her off. “I get that… but listen, white people are not our enemy”.

Mari looked shocked. I continued by reaching over, touching her with one finger where I thought her heart was. “The problem is in here, not their skin color.” She said nothing but seemed to let something go. Then she said smiling, “I knew you were good for me… in more ways than one….” I felt her foot on my leg.

Mari’s phone began buzzing. She took it out, stood up immediately yelling, “Fernando!! Start the healing bath…. Make it on the 3^rd floor and hurry! Emma’s hurt!!

She yelled at me to get the emergency blanket, as I looked out the window, I saw Emma flying in. All I could say was, “Oh no!!”

When we opened the front door, Emma was on fire.

“Oh dear God.”

“Her wings!”

Next Saturday: Does Emma survive her injuries? And what is the name of the main character/narrator? And do the dreams mean anything?

Emma on the Train

If the spirits of the poets are subject to the poets

then the spirits of wolves are subject to the moon,

and Madrid never gave away any of her treasures

because there were too many vampires

in Belgium,

night clouds cascading

into dark poetry.

It was 1941.

Narrator: Emma wrote these notes on the back of a napkin, while taking the train to Paris.

An Older Couple in Love

When we are talking and I look at your hair,

your mystery deepens, how

can the world be in a few strands

of black and grey, with a little bit

of brown?

how can one set of eyes

hold so many answers, give so many clues

making sense of our world,

and how do you still hold the fire

with skin so soft?

you intoxicate me….

Acadia Returns

The fog hovered low that evening as he stood silently in the sand listening to the waves. The rhythm washing every scar of the day, the worrying.

Rocks made smooth from the ocean, he thought about her and that he might even smile, until he needed to zip up his jacket a little higher. He relit his pipe, and as he walked home he watched the sand,

surrounding his boots and then give way again and again. He pulled his hat down further due the chill, and he thought of the lamps he left on in his cottage,

and quilts hanging over chairs, and a steaming, hot cup of tea.

He wondered if her ghost would be there again.

Either way, Acadia would always live

within him.

I’ll Always Remember

I’ll always remember our romance in Maine, My Love

the wildness of the sea

the embrace

of the tallest evergreens.

Draping a blanket over the picnic table

and how the northern sun played,

dancing in your hair.

Later there was the beautiful feel of cold sheets, and wrapping ourselves

snuggling,

in warm homemade quilts.

Your sigh,

and smiling in your sleep.

Who could forget?

I’ll always remember our romance,

in Maine My Love.

Emma and the Deep Red

As Emma stared at the horizon, her long dark hair flew behind her in the wind. This particular wind was playful tonight, even adventurous. She smiled. She had known a seducing wind before.

The deep red of the sunset made her think of him. His blood running strong in his veins. How in healing the wolf she was made whole. There would be no more hiding for her.

She allowed the richness, the power of the sunset to penetrate her very being, finally bursting deep with her soul. She was made new once more. Yet she staggered and nearly fell.

Extending her wings fully and even beyond, she took one step into the air and the red filled her…. lifted her so completely she flew, mastering the gusts of air. She reached for the wildness of it.

Captured the essence of it.

She would run with the wolves to be with the one she loved, but she would always own this wind…..she was certain of it now.

A Peace Filled Heart

A peace filled heart always becomes a stronger lover,

knowing something about itself, confident

in dedication

to the other.

Beyond the Horizon

As the sun sank lower, beyond the horizon,

they watched shadows slowly envelop

each of the boats. Instinctively,

she slipped her hand

into his.

Breathless.

Happy Anniversary

We took each other’s hand that day, with the leaves changing into the gold and burning reds,

having already chosen our fire with commitment, pledging ourselves,

pledging our hearts, and when I stared into your eyes that day…. I knew, and I still know……I still say, “I do”.

Happy Anniversary, My Love!

My wife and I have been married a long time.

Yes, life has changed us some, but our love always sees us through the tragedies. We would not want to spend our lives with anyone else.

Today’s not our actual day. We don’t share the date on the internet.

Wishing you peace.

Category: romance