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Chapter 22
"Hello Ream, This is
Sally. I'm back from Texas."
"Welcome home. How's
your son doing?"
"The operation is scheduled
in a couple of weeks, and I will be returning to Texas. Right now he is
on special drugs which will prepare his system for the operation. The good
news is the doctors think this will resolve the problem once and for all."
"That's really good
news," replied Ream.
"I've done everything
I can for now, Johnny has a small cold but it should pass before the operation,"
said Sally.
Ream sensed an urgency
in Sally's voice which had no connection to her son's condition.
"Somehow I get the
feeling you want to talk about something else?"
"Ream, do you remember
the conversation we had about being in someone's arms and having it feel
like home? Well I had the same experience again recently, except there
was more to it," said Sally.
"Go on."
"It happened at the
Cowboy Poets' Gathering here in Prescott during the Friday night
readings around the camp fire. I met this man there briefly and later
on the way home, our paths crossed again at the Court House Square where
there was an old-time cowboy band playing, and people dancing.
We happened to be standing
near each other. Everything seemed so casual and friendly. It was a pretty
song, so I asked him to dance and he accepted.
I mean we began by
dancing. Then something more developed. It was just the way he held me.
It was so comfortable. It was as if he was born knowing how I need to be
held. It felt as if we had always known each other. I'm convinced our souls
knew each other."
Ream was remembering
the same moments. He was encompassed again by the cloud of the delicate
fondness. He recalled her soft touch. Now Sally was using the same words
he would use to describe the experience. It was apparent they had undergone
a similar progression of attachment to one another.
At the edges of the
pleasant realization, there lurked the shadow of his lingering conundrum.
It yanked him back to the immediate present. Oh yes, he had found pieces
of his puzzle. Yes, there was a new self being reclaimed, but this new
self had not yet fully emerged. It was still an embryo.
Sally was elaborating,
"Ream, it seemed like something deep inside each of us reached out and
engaged with the other while at the same time we were both spectators to
the event. One of those experiences that leaves you standing there with
your mouth open.
I think he was just
as surprised as I was. We didn't talk about it because we'd just met. Maybe
it would have destroyed the feeling. I don't think it was ready to be acknowledged
with words."
"Sounds like you encountered
the beginning of a keeper. Are you going to pursue it?"
"There's the difficult
part, he's handicapped. I mean he's blind. I don't know how to digest or
interact with that fact yet. I was hoping you might have some answers."
"Very interesting,
I'm curious though, what moved you to ask him to dance?"
"That part would take
a little time to explain, and I'm not sure I know myself. I'll have
to tell you about it some time, I guess when I understand it more myself."
"Sally, I should probably
confess I may not be objective since I have more than a passing interest
in you myself," said Ream not knowing quite how to advise her.
"Yes, Ream I know.
I have more than a passing interest in you, as well. I think it's about
time we meet. I mean, if I can have special interaction with a stranger
who is blind, I wonder what kind of thing might happen between us?"
"You're right. I've
been thinking about it too. I am not trying to avoid our meeting, but there
are a couple of things in my life which need to be settled before we do.
Sally, I know what I am asking here, and from your end of the telescope
it has to appear like I am puffing a lot of smoke in your direction."
"What are you trying
to say, Ream?"
"I need some time,
maybe as long as a couple of months. I'm not asking you to wait around.
In fact, if you wish to pursue your blind acquaintance, please feel free
to. There are really no ties between us."
"I think I understand.
My world is pretty full right now too. I'm not sure I can totally accept
what you say. But I think we should set an outer limit of say mid July.
What happens between now and then happens. No strings attached."
"Thank you, that will
work for me. And I really meant the part about following any star which
might cross your path in-between."
"Yes, I know. And your
sincerity is one of the reasons why I won't mind waiting to meet you, but
for now, let's just wait and see."
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