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Like Letters Written in the Sand Part Eighteen (Revised)
“Anna-leis, I cannot promise you a child, that this adoption will occur, but I can promise you that I will fight to accomplish it, and that I will love you until the day I die and beyond. As he held Anna-leis, Clarence made a promise to her.
“I understand.” Anna-leis replied. “I am grateful, but I am not sure what I was expecting, this is more difficult than I expected. I had expected to be stronger by now.”
“It is important to remember that strength comes in many forms.” Clarence took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of Annalei’s favorite shampoo.
As people pried into Anna-leis’ life, asking intrusive questions, she nodded, but honestly she did not feel strong. It was not easy for her to talk about what had happened to her, but she was capable of handling it. It was far more intrusive to ask questions about her childhood.
Clarence wrapped his arms around her and let her lean into him as they stood. The day was beautiful and it felt good to be outside. It cannot erase the scars of Anna-leis’ past, it cannot give her a better childhood, but it can give her a beautiful present.
“Will I ever be able to move beyond my childhood scars?” she asked, resting her head on Clarence’s shoulder.
