Vellichor

Part 23

"Wait so how do you know? How do you know you have the right guy?" Or how did you know? Like what solidified it to you?"

With certainty in her voice she answered "There's this specific sweetness to your soul, that makes you different from anyone I've never met. It's like you're ultra sensitive about everything."

She ruffled my hair with her hand and said "That's what makes you recognizable to me every single time Valentine."

I tried to be sexy and grabbed her hand and kissed it, I heard her gasp lightly and she said sarcastically "Wow you're smooth." I looked up at her "And you're a detective?"

She smiled confidently "Yeah kind of I guess."
I said  "So where did you watch me? Like did you have cameras set up or something? Or did you just follow me?"

She laughed "No no no, it wasn't like that. You're making me sound like I'm crazy. I found out where you lived and worked and places you'd go with your friends. And so I'd just watch you from.....from afar."

I said "Oh, but like how'd you know I was here? Like what if I was in Asia or in like France, what if I was someone who lived in Antarctica?"

"I would have found you. It's just that, something in your soul pulls me to you naturally, it's effortless, I always eventually find you. Except in the 20's. In that one you found me, and it was funny, I didn't know it was you for a few days. Then I started noticing little things and it clicked to me. It was you!"

I raised my eyebrow at her "What little things?"
She said " Like the way you grab the back of your neck when its sore, or the way you cross your arms, gestures you'd do. Like kissing my hand, you've always done that."

I said "So is the life after Amato? Or was there one before this?"

She looked at me with her eyes holding a lot of pain and she said "No, there was one after that, it was in the 60's in New York, but our time was short in that one. We always used to meet in this one bar, it's long gone now. I went there in the 80's to see if it was still there but it wasn't. Anyways we became very good friends. You felt compelled to me too, but you had a wife and two children by the time I found you, and your wife was a very kind women and both of you were happy together so I let you go."

I grabbed her hand and put it in mine. "So how did you say Goodbye to me?"

She looked away from me and said "I just told you I got transferred somewhere else for my job. I wrote to you and your wife for the next few years too but then I stopped knowing it would not end well. And didn't look for you after that."

My curiosity was driving me crazy "How do you know I've died? And gone to wherever all souls go until a body is chosen for them? Or do you not know?"

She said sadly "I know, when ever you die, this feeling of extreme despair comes over me." I looked over at her and used my left hand to turn her head to face me and kissed her, and when I pulled away from her I said:

"So why is it that in all these life times we never were able to be together forever then? I know you told me something tragic always happened, but like, there has to be something else, something you're not telling me because it just doesn't make sense that there's not one life where I decided (okay I'm ready to drink that elixir) cause I know I'd be ready to do that in this life time, right now. So what's the secret, what are you hiding?"

She looked defeated and her shoulders and head fell slightly "This is the thing, everyone always needs this big climax or like this twist in the plot. This catastrophic event that happens that doesn't allow two lovers to be together. But life isn't a Shakespeare play. Sometimes a long string of small things just happen, like tiny choices, small decisions that lead two people not to be together, and I think I've figured it out, usually it's just something as simple as the need to grow alone. Before you can give yourself completely to someone. But no, people always need this nasty break up. Or this disaster. It's not that."

I answered to that with "So the reason we never worked for, eternity, was just because of this long string of tiny choices?" She looked at me sincerely, and said "I promise that's what I think it is, honey bee."

I furrowed my brows and cringed and with a laugh I said "Honey bee, no I'm not Honey Bee. What's that? You can't call me that."

She made a serious expression "Oh yes I can. That's the my nick name for you. Stop complaining or I won't kiss you anymore."

Well that immediately shut me up after that. I realized I was getting a little tired and I said "Sapphire is it okay if go brush my teeth and shower? And do you wanna go get something to eat after this? There's still quite a few places open."

She looked at me like I was childish and said. "You should go get fresh. Don't be silly . I'll make something. Take your time." Then she got up quickly and grabbed a hair tie from her dressing table and she put her hair in a back bun and before walking out of her room said "I'll see you in a bit."

I sat there for a few minutes getting myself together, and then got up and went to the washroom. I brushed my teeth first. Then stripped my clothes. And neatly hung them up on one of her towel racks. They weren't dirty but I thought it was sweet she gave me extra clothes anyways.

I quickly showered. And shampooed my hair. After drying myself I put on the clothes and socks she gave me, I hung up the towel on the other towel rack. I walked straight to the kitchen where she was just finishing up putting mushroom soup she made in two medium bowls. And there was two cinnamon raisin bagels with cream cheese and I think honey on one plate. When she saw me she said "Sit at the table honey bee. I'll bring the food."

I cringed at that name. I followed her instructions. She brought the bowl of soup and plate over. I said "You didn't have to do this. I would have been fine with like a pizza pop."

She laughed and said "No. it was so quick. And you shower quick."

I looked at her, and she caught me staring and said "What?"

I tried to hide my embarrassment and said "So what do you wanna do after this?"

She took a bite of her bagel and after she swallowed the contents she said "Anything you want, are you tired?" I said "No, I'm not tired at all. Are you?"

She ignored my question and smiled "Can I ask you a question?"