Like Letters Written in the Sand Part Seventeen

It was Clarence who made Anna-leis forget about her differences at times. He loved her unconditionally and was always there for her when she needed him, but he never treated her like a baby, nor did he treat her like she was a broken girl. It had nothing to do with the fact that she was an amputee, if only the adoption agency and those asking invasive questions could understand that when the time was right, she would make a good mother. The couple had the means and the ability to be great parents, and there were many children in need of a home, so why could they not recognize this? Despite this, Anna-leis was calm throughout, though he could often see her face etched with frustration. In truth, he did not blame her.

After a challenging interview, she and Clarence often spent time outdoors, often in the wildflower field behind their house. They had agreed that it would be best if they kept Anna-leis’ house and sold his, since they had already begun the work on making her home accessible, and her home was larger, so they had space for the children they hoped to have, whether adopted or born to them. The field of wildflowers was a beautiful place, one Anna-leis dreamed of watching her children play in. She needed Clarence’s assistance to reach the field, but she didn’t mind, being in his arms felt good after a long day at work.

“Clarence, you make everything better.” Anna-leis smiled, feeling safe and secure in his arms. There was no doubt in her mind that she would not be as strong without him. Her life would be lived in hiding, instead of living it, and that would not be living at all.

“I think I would like to visit the precinct, to let everyone know I am doing well.” Anna-leis glanced at Clarence. “Now that we have completed the interviews, that should be a breeze.”

I think that would be a good idea for you Anna-leis, and I need to conduct an interview for a story. I am currently working on someone, so we can schedule an interview together.”

As Anna-leis nodded, she was grateful to Clarence for his support, his understanding, and for taking enough time off to allow her to feel confident in herself. She knew by now, she could assist herself. There were times when she needed assistance, but she also understood that everyone does so from time to time.

Clarence had purchased Anna-leis a dozen red roses the first day he returned to work. As much as he loved staying at home with Anna-leis, he believed Clarence was making a difference, because he and Anna-leis both had careers that were important to them. He was indeed a reporter, but he never sought accolades for what he did, and this is what Anna-leis considered him to be a great journalist. She would be selfish if she were to take that away from him.

While Clarence was at work, Anna-leis focused on her writing. Before her career as a police officer came to an abrupt end as a result of the selfish decision of a drunk driver to get behind the wheel while consuming alcohol at levels well above the legal limit, she had written and published several true crime books. Just thinking about it angered Anna-leis, since her life had not been the only one at risk.

Clarence had shown her that she would not be destroyed by someone else’s stupidity, and he encouraged her to pursue another dream of hers, that was to write a novel, and she decided to keep herself busy with that, when she was not distracted by other things, such as making sure her home was spotless in case someone from the adoption agency called. She did not want them to view her as incapable of caring for a family, let alone a child.

The time Anna-leis spent with Clarence while he was at work made them both appreciate the time they spent together even more. Clarence would return home at the end of the day, and every Friday, he would bring out take-out from their favorite Italian-Greek restaurant. Her favorite days were when she cooked for him, something she had never felt very good at before, but she had been learning and learning well over the past few months.

As a result of writing, cooking, and a thousand other small and not so small projects, she was able to keep herself busy. She even practiced walking with her prosthetics around the house using canes or a walker in order to maintain her balance. She wanted to do away with the mobility aids. Nevertheless, she had come to accept that she may always require some form of assistance. Initially she wanted to believe that they were wrong, but now she realizes they were right. Her level of amputations would make learning to walk with a prosthetic more difficult. Despite this, Anna-leis was not afraid of hard work, and often found herself walking around the house until she became sweaty. There was a desire for her to prove everyone wrong, but it may have looked differently than she had anticipated. Even if she would always need assistance walking, she could be thankful for the technology that at least gave her a chance to succeed. Additionally, she could be a good wife, mother, and novelist, although perhaps the last one was a stretch.

Let’s go, Anna-leis.” Clarence said, helping his wife out of the car, letting her lean on him for the short distance into the precinct she had spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours in over the last decade. He was grateful that he was able to provide her with that, as she had been determined to walk in.

The sounds, the chatter, all of it was so familiar to her, despite her smile, Clarence could see the pain in her eyes. As he led her to her desk, everything was as it had been just twenty-four hours before the accident. As he recalled the first time he had seen her sitting at that desk, it was shortly after their first meeting on the beach. Despite the gruff exterior, there was a tender heart.

“Thank you very much.” She replied, smiling, grateful to be sitting at the desk, which had been a part of her life for many years, when she was not always on patrol. She was offered a desk job, but Anna-leis and everyone who knew her knew it was not her style. She had a new life now, which was different but beautiful in its own way, and she was married to the most wonderful man in the world. As a result, she would now focus on the possibilities of the present, including the child she and Clarence were fighting so hard to have.

To Be Continued…

Copyright ©️ August.12.2022, Revised Copyright ©️ Michelle R Kidwell May.18.2023