The Last Genie: A Novella

Chapter 33

The rest of the evening they did all they could to avoid talking. They made the fried chicken then sat on their new couch and watched Jeopardy, while it cooked. When it was done, they ate it on the couch while watching TV. Eventually, they went to bed, but neither of them could sleep.

After tossing and turning for over an hour, Ithel couldn't stand being in that room or even that apartment so close to Grace anymore. He needed to get away. He threw off his sheets and hurried outside.

The cool night air calmed his nerves. He took a deep breath and started walking. At first, he just focused on the sights and sounds of the night. The beautiful full moon, the few stars he could see hanging in the inky blackness, and the occasional screech of an owl. But, slowly his mind returned to Grace.

He loved her. He couldn't deny it, and he was confident he would truly enjoy living with her. But, he also knew she would die. So, he tried to decide if the joy of their life together would be worth the pain when he lost her.

After walking for a good while, Ithel had his answer.

Grace had been waiting anxiously for Ithel to return since she heard him leave, so when she heard the front door open, she hurried into the living and asked, "Where did you go?"

"I needed to go for a walk?"

"Why?"

He said, "To get the courage to do this," then stepped towards and kissed her with everything he had.

Grace's knees buckled; her heart fluttered. She had never been kissed like that before.

After a moment, Ithel pulled away leaving Grace slightly off balance and said, "I will always love my wife, but I love you too. I love you with every fiber of my being."

Grace was so happy it hurt, but Ithel wasn't done speaking.

"But, I'm afraid that now I must leave."

"What? Why?"

"Because you deserve someone you can build a life with. "

"Why can't I build a life with you?"

"Because I'm a genie."

"I know."

Ithel hung his head. Then after a moment looked up and said, "I can't have kids."

Grace said, "So, I've never wanted kids," which wasn't exactly true. She had wanted kids until she had received her diagnosis. After that, she had decided that kids were not in her future.

"Don't lie to me. I saw you with those kids on Sunday."

"I love being around kids, but I've never wanted my own kids."

"You say that now, but you might later."

Grace took his hand and said, "I want you. We can figure everything else out."

"But, it's not just that. You're going to age. I'm not."

Then, Grace realized that Ithel was afraid. She remembered the pain in his voice when he talked about his daughter. He didn't want to go through the pain of losing someone else he loved, so she said, "You're not leaving for me. You're leaving because you're afraid."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. You are afraid of my death. You're afraid of getting hurt."

"Ok, you're right," shouted Ithel. "I am afraid, but you don't understand what it's like to lose someone you love."

"I didn't lose someone like you have, but my father left when I was child and his loss still pains me."

"It's not the same, and you're not going to have to deal with that pain for hundreds of years."

"So, you're just going to live your life going from place to place never connecting with anyone, never loving anyone."

"Yes," said Ithel softly.

"What type of life is that?"

Ithel looked deep into his soul and said, "A bad one."

"Then stop. Enjoy your time with me. Then, when I die find someone or something else to love because if you don't, you're not really living."

Ithel smiled. He couldn't believe how much he loved this woman.

"You're right," he said. "You're so very right." Then, he stepped forward and they kissed again, and this kiss was even better than their first kiss.

They stood in the living room kissing and pressing their bodies against each other until their collective hunger became too much. Then, they stumbled still locked in each other's arms into Grace's bedroom and fell into her bed.