Like Letters Written in the Sand

Clarence provided her with strength on those days when she felt completely depleted and weak. Despite the fact that Anna-leis prided herself on her strength, she had been through a great deal over the past few months, from the pain of losing her legs, to those who decided to drive even though they had consumed too much alcohol, and the struggle of walking again with prosthetic legs, she still struggled, at times wanting to surrender. It had been Clarence’s promise to her that he would support her in whatever decision she made, but the decision had to be the right one for her. He would never cease to love her, and she felt the same way about him.

Seeing Anna-leis in pain hurt Clarence, he would do anything to carry her pain for her, but unfortunately it was not possible. He could hold her through it, comfort her, it seemed so inadequate, but it meant the world to her.

As Clarence held Anna-leis close one evening, she grew quiet for a few moments. He could feel the weight of the silence, something was wrong, but he had learned pushing her was a sure method of getting her to shut down.

“I called my family and told them everything that had happened. They were so indifferent to the accident, our marriage, everything.” Anna-Leis could no longer hold back her tears.

Clarence felt a growing sense of anger. He did not like it. Anna-leis was trying to communicate with her family despite the circumstances, despite what had occurred between them. They did not have to be so cold towards her.

“I apologize, sweetheart.” Clarence replied. “There is no reason for them to treat you in that manner.”

I am not sure why I even bothered, or what I expected. “I guess I wanted things to be different.”

“You tried Anna-leis, that was all you could do.” Clarence said gently, sitting down and letting her head rest on his lap. There is nothing more or less she needs at this time than that connection.

Why do my family members not care about me, what happened to me, or how happy you make me feel? “Am I really that horrible?”

Sweetheart, it is them who have the problem, not you. You are not terrible, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. As you know, sweetheart, my family loves you, and you can rely on them, and even more importantly, you can rely on me.”

Her gratitude could not be adequately expressed as she nodded, unable to find the appropriate words.

“You were there for me in the hospital when others weren’t, and you never gave up on me.” As she found her voice again, she used the words to express her gratitude.

“I will never give up on you Anna-leis, you are worth fighting for.”

After closing her eyes for a few moments, Anna-leis was emotionally exhausted. This kind of pain was far more difficult to handle than the struggle of learning to walk on prosthetics. Even though she could not take more than a few steps, Anna-leis knew that Clarence was always there to support her. In spite of the fact that it was comforting for her to know she was not alone, she had desired to reunite with her family. They had made it clear that they did not wish to relive the past.

“Everything will be okay, sweetheart. No matter what happens, we will always have each other.”

Anna-leis nodded, sitting up and resting her head on Clarence’s shoulder. He knew she needed him, even when the words did not come. In some instances, Anna-leis had difficulty expressing herself, but she was learning that it was okay to share her feelings with Clarence, since he was not like her family, who threw her out of their lives after Ashley was hurt.

Ashleigh was sixteen years old, Anna-leis’ twin, but the golden child who could do no wrong, no matter who actually saw what happened, Anna-leis would get blamed, just as she was when Ashley dove into her friend’s pull, hitting her head and suffering a traumatic brain injury. Despite not having even been with Ashley, Anna-leis’ parents threw her out the same night, telling her to fend for herself. Being separated from her twin sister was more painful than being thrown out.

“Anna-leis, let’s go for a ride. I do believe you would benefit from getting out of the house.” Clarence suggested gently.

Anna-leis nodded, wiping away tears with the tissue Clarence had given her. As Clarence lifted her into his arms, she nodded, knowing that she needed him. Once again, she rested her head on his shoulder, exhausted, but eager to get out of the house and drive around. While she still felt nervous in vehicles, it was different when she was with Clarence.

“I never told you because it is too painful to discuss, but I have a twin sister.” Anna-leis explained as she settled into the front passenger seat. “I have not seen or spoken to Ashley since our parents kicked me out after Ashley dove into her best friend’s pool and hit her head, she was no longer the same. Despite the fact that I was not present, my parents blamed me.”

A gasp could be heard from Clarence as he wondered what kind of parents would treat their daughter in such a manner. Anna-leis’ fear of getting close to others explains why she had difficulty getting close to others. Whenever possible, Clarence would do whatever it took to show Anna-leis that she is loved and cared for. There was no way he was going to run away at the first sign of trouble. She had already been shown that much was true by him.

“I am sorry, sweetheart, but you did not deserve that.

“Even before Ashley was injured, they made it clear what they felt about me.”

“I am sorry, Anna-leis. I wish I could spare you this pain.”

Anna-leis nodded, knowing Clarence would do the same if he could.

Considering what happened between my family and I, I hope you do not regret marrying me.

“I will never regret marrying you, Anna-leis. Your parents were wrong, you were sixteen years old.”

“I guess I was afraid you would not want to do business with me if I told you the whole story.”

The only thing it does is make me love you more, sweetheart. You are strong, determined, and you will make a wonderful mother someday.

“I am not certain.” As Anna-leis explained, she was not simply concerned about her fertility. “I do not want to harm my children in the same manner as my parents did to me.”

“Anna-leis, you are not like your parents, whether or not we have children.” Clarence said gently, squeezing her hand.

To Be Continued..