Page 16 - 2022 Tryst Sneak Peak 24

Lost in her own thoughts and the sensation of the
warm rain upon her face, Karyn closed her eyes and
tried to capture the moment in her heart for all of
eternity. She feared she would never again delight in
this kind of pure joy. Living in the moment, capturing the
sensations of seconds, was a learned process. She
struggled to break down wall after wall to climb through
the rubble of denial and self-loathing to get to the now.
She was still not wholly proficient… but at least she was
trying and recognizing its importance. This point, in itself,
was an area of tremendous growth for her. And at last,
she felt proud.
****

Gillian felt the hair on the back of her neck stand
up as she came to the same realization captured in
Thomas's words. It had been a very long road, with
more frustration and sorrow than she thought possible.
But he was right. The hot coals she walked were simply
smoldering rubble now. True, she would never forget,
but at least now, she was beginning to learn endurance.
Given the mountain she climbed, he was right; this was a
time of tremendous growth for her. Although she could
not yet articulate the lessons, she knew they were there...
guiding her choices and her grief.

****

Silently, Jacob came up behind her and cradled
her in his arms. The rain was relentless, mingling with the
tears now streaming down her cheeks. She felt
wonderfully released from the pain that shadowed her
over the past several months. It was nice. How she
missed love in her life and the want to feel it. So much
of those emotions she'd pushed away because of the
frequently horrific outcome. Rejection and ridicule now

Diana Kathryn Plopa 16 A Tryst of Fate