This place

15.

Through Opal's eyes

He thought I wasn't listening.He thought I was asleep.The truth is I was not.I woke up a few minutes before he came.When I heard heard him approaching the tree,I pretended to be sound asleep.

I felt him kiss my cheek.I also heard his prayer.I guess he really did love me.I just found it hard to let him in.It was hard to trust another man.Since I couldn't trust a man,I chose to trust God.God would never disappoint,leave or hurt me.

It was time for me to let go of my fears,because God is not made of fear,but rather POWER and LOVE.
I decided to let go of my fears and take a huge leap of faith.I decided to love.Love whole heartedly.Love him while God helps me love myself.
The truth is I could never ever go back to the past,because it's dead and gone.I could never change the things that happened to me,but I could try to change my future through what I do today.It was time.Time for change.

So right then and there I.was raised from my slumber and I woke Raphael up.

"Raph." I whispered
He still SNORED.
"Raph!"
He got up immediately.

He stared into my eyes and smiled.
"What is it O.P?"
I bit my tongue.

It was easier in my head,but reality was the real problem.In my head all fear was gone.In my head I had an idea of how he'd respond.
I heard a voice that told me:
"Just shut up!Do you really think he'll love you.Look at yourself and look at him.He's perfect.You're not.Just leave it Opal.While you still can."

I had tears in my eyes.Raphael was still smiling.
"What is it Opal,tell me."

Then a calm,loving,gentle voice with authority started speaking:
"Beautiful Opal,go ahead and speak.
It's time for you to let go of the pain.
Don't let complacency take over.This man loves you and its pretty clear that you love him.So what you're not perfect?Nobody is.Everybody is striving for perfection.Trust in Me My child.I will make it alright.My will is greater.Just go ahead.Tell that boy the truth."

That voice gave me courage.That voice gave me strength.I decided to listen to that voice and ignore the other devious voice.

"Raphael,I wanted to tell you that I love you.You're everything I imagined in a guy and more.I was just afraid that you were too good to be true..."I said then Raph interrupted me

He put his warm hand on my cheek.
"I know Opal.I know you love me,because of the things you do.I showed you my flaws and to you I still seemed flawless.You strengthen me everyday.This place seemed like a fancy jail cell before you came.Now it seems like the garden of Eden."

A tear flowed down my cheek.Raphael wiped it away using his thumb.

"I'm your Adam you're my Eve,just without the serpent."

I laughed.

"See,now I'm being silly.You make me happy girl.You make all my pain easier to bear.You are evidence that God is somewhere out there.He exists.He loves me.He loves me so much that He sent me you."

I was speechless.When I looked at the mirror I saw this shapeless young woman with these funny looking eyes.An imperfect girl.I saw dirt,he saw gold.That was love.

"Wow Raph,I-I didn't know you see that in me.I was so broken,but then God sent me here for a reason.He was using you to heal me.To love me."

He smiled then he held me close.My head was on his warm chest.He kissed my head.
"I'm gonna make you my wifey."
"Really now?"
"Yeah.You'll see."
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
That night we joked around and he told me more about himself.Apparently he lived in the same city I lived in.We were similar in so many ways.He also felt empty.I did too.There we were falling in love.

"Is your mother still alive?"I asked him
"Yep,she's turning 56,yet she moves like she's 21.So yeah, she's very alive."
I laughed.
"Are your parents alive?"he asked
"Yeah,but I seldom see my father.He left us when I was very young.Still I love him I just wish I could tell him that. "
"You're fenominal."
"Thanks.I know that now."

I felt super sleepy.Raph looked sleepy too.It was bedtime,in our case sleeping- under- a- tree time.

"I think it's best if we sleep."
"Yeah,I'm super sleepy."

He kissed my cheek.I smiled.

I lay on the soft grass and I closed my eyes.
"Sweet dreams Raph."
"Sweet dreams Opal.I love you."
It felt weird for me to be told that I'm loved.But I liked it.
"Love you too."

We were fast asleep on the grass.
My head on his chest.His hand in mine.