Avi Kaplan: A Collection of Short Stories

Reincarnation

re-in-car-na-tion [ree-in-kahr-ney-shuh n]

noun

1) The belief that the soul, upon death of the body, comes back to earth in another body or form

2) Rebirth of the soul in a new body.

3) A new incarnation or embodiment, as of a person

+++

When you first met him you just knew, knew that you had met him before.

Your hand lingers in his, a pleasant shock of recognition worming its way into your brain and you shudder at his touch. The room seems to narrow momentarily, every fiber of your being feels like it's pulling towards an imaginary center and you feel detached from your body.

As his hand slips from yours, the room rights itself and he stares down at you with a curious expression on his face. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

His voice reverberates in the space between you, the rich, warm, molasses feel of it flowing over your mind. You don't just know this voice; you remember it. You remember the cadence of it in your ears. You remember the caress of it along your skin. You remember the taste of it on your tongue.

"I—I don't think so," you manage to reply, your mind still reeling in the familiarity of him.

He looks at you then with a sense of wonder and it's in that moment that you realize—he remembers you, too.

+++

The sun beats down upon you, the breeze ruffling your fanned out hair. You feel the sold weight of the earth beneath you as you lie in the grasses, the warm scent of the spring wildflowers filling the air around you. You're just on the verge of falling asleep when you hear the panicked neighing of a horse and the accompanying angered screams of its owner.

Sitting up, you quickly spot the black mare running across the open field and the outline of the man chasing after her. Giving a quick glance at the male stranger, you chase off after the horse. Your toes dig into the fresh soil as you run and your breath explodes from your chest in hard gasps. Coming up onto the horse, you quick grab her reins and hold on tightly as she attempts to evade your grasp.

From the corner of your eye, you spot the man standing close by, hands on his hips as he catches his breath, his long, brown hair blowing in the wind. Returning your focus back to the horse, you calmly stroke her face and rub gentle circles along her flank. You murmur soft whispers as you continue to rub her face, your grip slowly easing on her reins.

Once the horse is completely calm, you turn your attention to the stranger standing a short distance away from you. Catching your stare, you feel a pleasant fluttering in your chest as his eyes meet yours and he approaches you slowly.

"I do believe this is your horse, sir," you say, handing him the reins and shuddering slightly as his fingers brush against yours.

He surprises you as he takes your hand in his, curling his fingers around yours and pressing a soft kiss to the back of your hand as he makes a small bow. His beard tickles your skin and his voice vibrates through you bones. "Yes, m'lady. This is my horse." He looks up at you, his green eyes piercing underneath dark, shapely eyebrows.

You drink in his height as he stands proud in front of you. "Thank you for chasing her down. That was most unnecessary," he proclaims, rubbing the horse gently but keeping a firm hold on her reins.

Smiling, you give him a slight bow and turn to leave, but he stops you, his fingers gentle on your wrist. "Do you come here often?" he asks, his fingers dropping from your skin. You simply nod in reply and he smiles. "May I call on you?"