Letters to Juliet

Chapter 11 (part 2)

Dear Juliet,

My hand is shaking too much for writing and I'm not sure my mind is no less troubled. I wanted to share with you this big news, this great joy that fills me since – I dare not believe it yet – since we met again... Oh Juliet, she's here, sitting in front of me, at that café terrace, witness of our reunion, and my eyes are burning to stay too opened, so much afraid I am she'll disappear if I close them. My hand brushes hers regularly to be sure she's real, I see her looking down, blushing, and my heart jumps each time with amazement. I'm unable to stop watching her. She 's so beautiful! Even more beautiful than I remember. I look at her, and I find on her face these young girl's features I had left but with more purity in the lines, more harmony in the frame. The profile of her nose that I liked so much to tease, her eyebrows, the curve of her mouth I am personally reminded with such intensity that I can hardly breath. I'm rediscovering her and I'm going into ecstasies before the perfection of her whole being. My gaze crosses her, suffused with shadows and mysteries, and I quiver with voluptuousness before the power she has over me...

- Stop looking at me that way, Terry, you're embarrassing me... - said Candy, once gain looking the other way.

- I'm sorry, Candy, I can't help myself. I feel so much like I'm dreaming!...

- You're not, Terry... We... We are not...

She had said this with a shy voice, hardly daring to look at him. Despite the joy of the reunion, an annoying modesty prevented her from opening up to him more freely. She would have hoped to express him all her happiness to have him well present in front of her, but she could not help from showing some reserve. It was still difficult for her to overcome what she had forbidden to her for so long. One thing so simple and so natural – loving him – this thing she had so often blamed herself for still feeling it, had made grow inside her a heavy feeling of shame and confusion. But now, as she was free to live her love in the open, she did not feel comfortable yet. She knew that she would need time not to be afraid of being happy. But Terry's tender look on her reassured her on her last fears.

- I've been looking for you for so long, Candy, that it's still difficult for me to realize that I found you back.

- I've the same feeling – she said, chuckling nervously to hide her trouble – It's crazy! Until a few hours ago, I believed you were in New York, wondering with anguish if we would see each other when I return. And you are here, facing me, in flesh and blood! I feel so stupid...

- Stupid?

She looked down, sighing, fiddling vacantly her paper napkin.

- Stupid, yes... Stupid for lacking so much of spontaneity before you. I am so impressed like if I was standing before my former hospital manager in Chicago.

A little smirk appeared on the young man's lips.

- If it can comfort you, Candy, I have this strange feeling too, like... like if I was facing the mother superior of saint-Paul...

- Really??? – She asked, giggling – the mother superior? This is what I am doing to you?

- Well, you've just compared me with your former hospital manager!

- I have, but it was an example among so many others! While "mother superior" is far from being a compliment... - she answered, grinning.

- Don't worry, you don't have as hair on the chin as her. But, thinking about it, you both really have some resemblance...

- Oh, Terry, really, you'll never change!!!

He tilted his head back, bursting out laughing while she was throwing a napkin to his face. But in the bottom of herself, she was delighted he had remained the same, full of mischief, always ready to tease her until making her crazy. She leaned against the back of her chair and entertained herself with the delightful sight he reflected to her. She loved to watch him laugh. She quite simply loved him...