Click on the images to go forward.

Anne's Obsession

Anne had always been in love with him.
Always.

Anne's Obsession

He taught her high school class.
History and Moral Philosophy.

Anne's Obsession

She loved him then.
All the girls did.

Anne's Obsession

He had been handsome. Polite. Self-confident. Rugged.
Powerful.

Anne's Obsession

They tried. She tried.
But no. High-school girls were not for him.

Anne's Obsession

He let them down, gently. Always.
But he did let them down. Always.

Anne's Obsession

She hated his girlfriends. Hated them!
All the girls did.

Anne's Obsession

He expanded her mind. Her heart.

Anne's Obsession

She wanted him.
She could not have him.

Anne's Obsession

The other girls had moved on. Had boyfriends. Husbands. Children.
Anne wanted him. Only him.

Anne's Obsession

She had her college degree. Her own studio.
She was famous.
She was alone.

Anne's Obsession

She photographed the pretty girls who danced.
One picture paid very well. She was wealthy.
But empty still.

Anne's Obsession

She found him again.
He had grown old. Retired.
Alone.

Anne's Obsession

He had paid time's toll.
She could not see it.
She saw only him.
As he was.
As he still was.

Anne's Obsession

She tried to see the mortal sheath that now enveloped him.
She regretted only that it was ephemeral.

Anne's Obsession

She wanted him. Still. Always.
He did not believe her. Not at first.
She had to convince him.

Anne's Obsession

The first time, it hurt.
He worried.
She told him not to.

Anne's Obsession

Then it was good.
It filled her.
It filled her soul.

Anne's Obsession

He liked to read. She brought him books.

Anne's Obsession

She tried not to interrupt his reading.
But some times she needed him.

Anne's Obsession

His time on Earth was short. She knew that she could not have him for very long.
She knew that she could have him forever.

Anne's Obsession

He was gone. Free of his mortal cage.
He was still with her.

Anne's Obsession

He left his legacy with her.
He never knew. She hadn't known.

Anne's Obsession

She wished he had known.
Maybe he did, now.

Anne's Obsession

She would wear black. Always.
Not in mourning, but in memory.
Not for sadness, but for joy.

Anne's Obsession

He had filled her heart, and that could never leave her.
He would never leave her.

Anne's Obsession

He would be there.
Always.
In her mind.
In her heart.

Anne's Obsession

She would never be alone again.

- The End -

December 18, 2006
Copyright © 2006 by The Pearl, for Anja Vanderspeigle. All rights reserved.