Saturday, April 15, 2006

Upon touching His hand, the world went surreal.

Life, experiences, memories flashed before my eyes. My own birth, my childhood, the events that had stood out in my life for one reason or another. Then the images of her life flooded upon me. And finally, and most poignantly, the recollections of a life we spent together. Our first date, the absolute joys and the utter sorrows...

Our first kiss, beneath the pale moonlight.

Even a condemned soul will not give up the dearest of memories.



I found myself upon my knees.

"It is done," Death intoned. "Her life shall be spared from this realm - for now.

"When she wakes up, she will remember nothing. It will be as if you have never existed in her life."

I nodded. "It's better this way. Perhaps she will find someone new, someday."

Death turned to look at me. "Do you truly mean that, mortal?"

I looked within myself and found that I did. "Yes."

Silence. And then, "Follow me. There is something else you have to do."

I narrowed my eyes. "Haven't I fulfilled my obligations?"

Death's cloak seemed to billow with the touch of an unfelt wind. "Your obligations to me, yes. But not to her."

"What?" Disbelieving.

"There is still time before the transference of souls is complete. It is your discretion to spend them as you see fit. She awaits you, beyond that arch."

I hesitated. As far as archetypes of the Lord of the Dead went, they were painfully inaccurate. "But why... why are you doing this? I mean, letting me see her again?"

Death's response was unflustered, unemotional. "You are here because of love, yes?"

"Yes." A barely audible whisper.

"What does that love mean to you? More to the point, what would you give for the one you love?"

I knew the answer even before the question had been uttered.

"Anything."

Again that unfelt draught of wind. "Then perhaps, the reason you are here is not so different from the reason I am here."

Slowly, my mouth fell open.

"Be quick, mortal, before I change my mind."



I found her beyond the arch, as promised. She turned to look at me, her gaze equal parts sadness and gratitude.

"You silly, silly fool." She bit her lip, the tears running freely down her cheek.

My eyes filled. "I did it because..."

"Shhh." She motioned me to be silent, a delicate finger poised on my lips. "No cliched phrases of love - don't waste the time we have left..."

I grasped her hand in mine, our interlocking fingers conveying a mutual warmth that went far beyond the physical.

I looked into her eyes. "When you wake up, you won't remember any of this, much less that I ever existed," I revealed, sadly.

"I know." The words were laced with bitterness.

Then, lifting her head, her expression changed. Though tears now stained her face, I beheld the look I had fallen in love with a lifetime ago. "I don't care.

"All I want to do spend the rest of my time here with you."

I grinned lopsidedly. "You sure it's me you want now?"

"Tell you a secret." She winked at me conspiratorially, leaning closer. Her smell, although lacking the hint of any perfume, was dizzying. My heart began to beat faster, throbbing insistently in my chest. "There never was another guy."

I looked confused. "But the wedding dress, the church...?"

"You know the answer to that." Her eyes rested on mine, willing me to understand.

Recognition dawned. "But why? I always cared for you, I would have done anything for you -"

"Shhh. Let's not argue now." She pressed her body lightly against mine, laying her head on my shoulder. "Even a woman can be wrong sometimes."

I grinned. "You have no idea."

There were so many unanswered questions left, but at this moment, I really didn't care.

"There's something I've always been meaning to ask you for."

She raised her head. "What is it?"

I took a step back, raising her hand to my face and kissing it lightly. "May I have this dance?"

She looked confused. "But you've never known how to dance."

I winked at her. "Just trust me."

She continued to look bewildered, and then her face slowly broke into the impish smile I had seen one special night, a long time ago.

My free hand went around her waist as she sidled forward, her weight on my body, her chin once again on my shoulder. As I held her, I felt the area about my shoulder grow moist.

And together we danced.



We meet in the night in the Spanish cafe
I look in your eyes just don't know what to say
It feels like I'm drowning in salty water
A few hours left 'til the sun's gonna rise
Tomorrow will come, it's time to realize
Our love is finished forever

How I wish to come with you (wish to come with you)
How I wish we make it through

Just one last dance
Before we say goodbye
When we sway and turn round and round and round
It's like the first time
Just one more chance
Hold me tight and keep me warm
Cause the night is getting cold
And I don't know where I belong
Just one last dance

The wine and the lights and the Spanish guitar
I'll never forget how romantic they are
But I know, tomorrow I'll lose the one I love

There's no way to come with you
It's the only thing to do

Just one last dance
Before we say goodbye
When we sway and turn round and round and round
It's like the first time
Just one more chance
Hold me tight and keep me warm
Cause the night is getting cold
And I don't know where I belong
Just one last dance

Just one last dance, just one more chance, just one last dance...

- Sarah Conner & Marc Terenzi, Just One Last Dance