This is the story that may end up writing itself; who really knows? Capturing the action of sex is easy, and anyone with a modicum of talent can do that. Capture the emotion, though, ah now, you are starting to dwell in the realm of the Gods, and we humans aren't really meant to go there, now are we?
At least, we cannot expect to go there and remain unchanged, as if our present forms and lives can go on like nothing special just happened to us. The rules were written for a reason and you should break them only at your own risk. But who writes the rules? Is it Man, or God, or nature herself? Can we be forgiven our trespasses, really?
I am 33 years old, and I am a seeker. I have not been afraid of much in my life and I am terrified now. For although the following story is speculative fiction of a sort, I know it has more than the proverbial ounce of truth in it. I also know it has a chance of coming true, and the impact that will have on my life if it does could be irreversible.
What would you do if your unrequited love from your young adulthood, your first and truest real love; came into your life and said you had one night to find out how deep and true your feelings really are? Could your ideals of the mind hold up to the realities of the flesh? Or would the very idea be ludicrous?
I picture this scenario: it is winter, the time for hibernation and nourishing of the soul. I am burned out from work. No surprise there- I am one of the youngest professionals in my field to hold my position. For the last 12 months I have been traveling, conducting meetings, responding to government inquiries, and generally leading a very grown-up existence. I had some flings a year ago when I thought my relationship with Ray was ending, and seriously considered giving my ex, Chen, another chance and leaving Ray. Nothing really panned out, and my life had grown somewhat stale.
Ray and I are ok together but we are more or less intellectual partners. The spark isn't missing, but it never really grew much beyond a spark. We recently moved in together, and the stakes are higher now. We are in the process of consolidating resources. He doesn't love me, but he likes me well enough. We have a good sex life, not a great one. It could be anyone's story of maturing into one's adult life with adult responsibilities. There's no chance of marriage, legal or spiritual, but we're in it together at least for the time being.
I need to get away for a weekend. Periodically, I do this to replenish my spirit, which still rebels even after all the years it had to outgrow its wild oats. I've had some pretty interesting adventures, and I've tried not to burn too many bridges along the way.
I'm in a place now though where I need to make some pretty heady decisions about my future- follow a secure path or take a plunge into the complete unknown. My job is secure but unfulfilling, and I'm deciding if I have the courage to follow a dream of starting my own consulting business that will take me into literally dangerous places in a 3rd world nation. It is a heady place to be- follow your own dream or realize that what you need right now is a salary and 401K to secure your future.
I imagine renting a cabin in Northeastern Pennsylvania, near where I grew up, in a remote state park, for a week. The cabins are modern, they have heat and electric and fireplaces; running water and tables and chairs and beds. They are perfect little getaways. They are located in the middle of thousands of acres of protected land where the starts shine at night like diamonds and you can track foxes by day over miles of new snow. The trees ring them for miles around. Heaven to a soul inclined like mine. I tell only a few people where I am. Ray, of course. My mom, who might come spend a weekend day snowshoeing. On a whim, I tell my old friend Jack, who lives about 45 minutes away.
Jack and I have known each other for 23 years, and I have been head over heels in love with him for at least 19 of those years. We have a very close and Platonic friendship that once almost blossomed into something more. I told him one time, 12 years ago, how I felt, and he was unable to respond due to the very real and complicating factor of being engaged to someone else at the time. Since then, he has attained mythical status in my imagination as the "Great Unrequited Love of My Life". One of those sweet fond memories whose realities fade with time but whose thought always makes you smile. We have remained close despite the distance, and talk openly about our lives.
I know through my years of talking to him that his marriage is profoundly unhappy. Once, when I was about 26, he hinted that he'd like to spend some alone time with me. I purposely avoided it because I was afraid where it might lead. I've had more than my fair share of sexual adventures, most of them very good, but I've never let myself be involved with a married man.
I've bedded women, men, couples, strangers, and even a vampire once (now that's a story for another time, but less interesting than you might think), but never a married man. I have fantasized sexually about him for years, but never in a way that seemed remotely real. I've seen Jack periodically since then, but always on the up and up. I never wanted anyone to even think that something untoward might be going on when there wasn't.
Yet. I know that he and his wife have a nonexistent sex life. I know that his youngest daughter is dying. I know that he wishes he'd lived his life differently. And I know that when I look into his blue eyes all I feel is the love I still have for him. I know he once might have felt the same about me. I know that we are older now, and almost all of us have secrets to tell.
He sent me a poem recently, about star gazing, that had a line, "Do you feel the need for someone, To fulfill your empty life?/I'm wishing for the same thing, As I watch this star tonight... are we watching the same star?". The symbology is clear, as we both initially fell in love all those years ago while stargazing and holding each other in our arms. He has told me in a dozen little ways he is infatuated with me and always has been. Most importantly, I know that we have a deep and caring soul bond, as we have visited in our dreams several times throughout the intervening years to provide comfort to each other during times of need.
As you get older, some limitations seem more real, some absolutely silly to maintain. What seemed unbelievably stupid a year ago doesn't seem so far-fetched now. I imagine telling him where I can be found, and when, and leaving it open. I know what I'm really saying in my invitation to visit.