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Like Letters Written in the Sand Part Four (Revised)
Although Anna-leis hated leaving the house apart from doctor’s appointments and physical therapy, she still felt a sense of loss even with Clarence by her side, telling her she was beautiful over and over again, but every day she had to remember what had been lost, the scars, the amputations. At times, she felt as if she was going to crumble despite her efforts to be strong.
He was still living in the Mother-in-law quarters, uprooting his life for her. Anna-leis felt a strange mixture of gratitude and guilt for what he sacrificed for her. He had refused to walk away, away from her, and all she could see in his eyes was love, and neither she nor he could deny what he felt was true. As the phantom pains nearly paralyzed her, he had held her hands and comforted her.
There was no way she could pretend she didn’t love him, even if it was for his protection. The question was, how would breaking his heart protect him in the long run?
She loved him, but wasn’t always sure how to express it, just as she couldn’t always express her grief. While she had learned to build up walls, Clarence was slowly tearing them down and teaching her how to feel again.
It’s time we went somewhere.” Clarence said. ‘You do not have to hide away.’ You are beautiful.”
