On Divit Island...Love Over Forgiveness

Chapter Twenty Six

      Sanem leaned against the counter waiting for the water in the tea kettle to boil. She closed her eyes still trying to come to terms with what Can had told her. Polen had been in their home, she had come in like a thief in the night and rummaged through their lives. She wondered how many things she had touched, how many things she had moved around. 

      All of a sudden she remembered the picture of the whole family that was sitting on the table in the living room. It always sat in the same place, right next to the lamp, but it had been moved to the other side of the table. She had noticed it when they returned from Chania a few weekends ago. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling as if their whole house had been violated.

      She grabbed the tea cups from the cupboard and poured each of them a cup of tea. Tea was still the drink that they both preferred. It seemed to make any problem a little better, according to Can. She wondered what was taking Can so long outside, as she placed the tea cups on the small silver tray and headed toward the hallway.

      She quickly sat the tray on the table and felt a strong urge to open the door to see if Can was ok. He was going to the dock to check on the boat, maybe he needed help, she thought. 

      As she slide open the door and looked around she could see the furniture was all back in place but no Can. She stepped out on the patio, and called out to him, " Can, are you on the dock, where are you?" She yelled so she could be heard over the sound of the wind. 

      There was movement in the shadows and she wasn't quite sure what or who it was as she moved closer the the edge of the garden. " Can where are you." She yelled again. 

      " Sanem go back in the house and lock the door. Do it now." Can answered with a shout. Sanem immediately turned to head back to the house, her heart beginning to pound, then she stopped. " Can is there someone out there? Are you talking to someone?" She asked. 

      " No my dear, don't send her away." Polen spewed, as she looked at Can. " Sanem, don't go inside, come, come join us." She called out to her as she stepped from the shadows and started toward the garden.

      Can grabbed her arm, " Oh no you don't, you aren't going anywhere near my house or Sanem." Can told her, holding on tightly to her arm.

      Sanem had stopped instantly, she knew that voice better than anyone. It was Polen,...how did she get here, she thought.  " Can, what's going on?" Sanem asked as she ventured out closer to the shadows by the dock. 

      " Polen, is that you?" Sanem said as she got closer. " How dare you come here, how dare you invade our home. What do you want?" Sanem spoke, her body in shock...

      " Yes it's me Sanem. And what am I doing here? Isn't it obvious, I have come home." She smirked. " Sorry for such an unannounced arrival, but there are somethings that just don't need to have an invitation. Such as this, me coming home to Can and to this island,...and you packing up your things and leaving. It's all very simple." She explained, as if it would be a perfectly logical thing to do..

      Can pulled Polen back toward the dock, " You aren't going near the house. Polen what has gotten into you. What makes you think this is your home, or that I want anything to do with you. Now it's time for you to go." Can screamed, pushing her back toward the dock.

      Sanem walked out to where Can was standing, " Can how did she get here. What is she talking about." Sanem spoke softly to Can, holding on tightly to his arm. Was this all a nightmare, if it was she wanted desperately to wake up. 

      Polen laughed, looking intently at Sanem, " Well, well, still the naive stupid girl from so many years ago. I have waited to tell you what I think of you for way to long." She spewed, as she snarled her nose. " You are an embarrassment to Can, can't you see that. Can't you see that you are holding him back from what he could be." 

     Can gave her another push heading her toward the dock, " That is quite enough Polen, it's time for you to leave. I won't stand here and listen to you insult my wife. Now just leave." He huffed,  feeling his anger reach its boiling point..

      Polen stumbled and almost fell, but she quickly recovered and spun around giving Sanem a look of hatred, " The only one leaving this island is her. She has to go." She spouted. " Can I know you still care for me. I know you do, you just can't admit here in front of her. So just get her out of here." Polen demanded, waving her arms about in a fit a anger.

      Sanem shook her head, " No, I'm not leaving, I'm not sure where you got that idea." She shouted back to her. " Polen you are sick and you need to get help. You have your fantasy and the reality mixed up together. Come on, you don't really think you are going to take over my place here with Can and this island, do you?" Sanem stated, taking a firm stance beside Can.

      Polen's whole demeanor changed in an instant, " I am not CRAZY, stop saying that." She screamed back at Sanem. " I am simply taking back what's mine. The thing you stole from me. You know it's true. You stole Can away with you innocent little act of being wholesome and pure. Such nonsense, you were nothing of the kind." Polen was screaming at the top of her lungs. 

      Can stood protectively between Polen and Sanem, " Polen if you don't leave now, I am going to throw you off this island myself. You have already caused more trouble in my life than you should have." Can exclaimed, ushering her back toward the dock. " I really don't want to be rude and uncaring but you are not welcome here." 

      Polen stopped, clinging to Can, " But Can, you wanted me to come here, remember. You wrote it in the letter you sent me." She whimpered, her voice quivering.

     Can looked stunned, " I did no such thing. You don't know what you're talking about. What letter. I never wrote you a letter." He replied defensively. 

      She jerked away from Can and headed back toward the garden where Sanem was standing watching in disbelief. " No, I'm not the one leaving, you are." She screamed, grabbing Sanem by the arm. 

      " Stop Polen." Can yelled., pulling her back away from Sanem." You are out of control." She turned looking at Can, " Why won't you tell her how you feel about me. Why don't you make her leave." She whimpered, wrapping her arms around his neck. 

     Can pulled away, " Polen, I have NO feelings for you. I don't know what letter you're talking about but you are confused. I never wrote you a letter." He explained, trying desperately to convince her.

      Polen backed away, " You did, it was after I sent you that note to congratulate you on your award. You wrote back and told me how much you appreciated me and how you hoped I could visit the island one day." She shouted, flinging her arms about in a wild manner. "You said that Can, you wrote it. So here I am. I knew what you were saying without you having to come right out and say it,.....you wanted me back.." 

      Polen sank down to the ground as if she had lost every once of strength in her body.. Sanem watched in disbelief as Polen fell apart, crying and screaming.