Abrupt Solitude: Chapter Three

"Elyria does not know love. She cannot know love. We must protect her"

"Yes Lena. You're right. It shall not continue" her mother agreed.

"Hmmm" her father responded distractedly as he perused the newspaper.

Elyria, lying in her bed, refused to take her place in this harsh world. She listened intently to the giants in the adjoining room as they decided the course of her life sans her. She refused to continue in the role of the slow disabled sister or the eternal little girl of overly cautious parents. Elyria was much different than the world supposed. That is why she loved Arras. He saw her completely and well beyond the labels that, throughout her life, had limited her.

From beneath her covers, Elyria listened for movement within the small apartment. Like ghosts, her parents haunted this place. They barely made a sound as they glided in and out of darkened rooms. The storm known as Lena returned to her upstairs apartment. Elyria gazed up at the stucco ceiling where she heard the heavy footfalls of her sister.

The intricate design of the stuccowork ceiling brought to life an imaginary place. Elyria spent many years charting this imaginary land that stood over her bed and, in the end, she determined that it was much like the Ukrainian village wherein she had once lived.

She saw the hills, valleys and the roadway that led from her school to her former home. Elyria could see the path that both she and Peter would take to his home. She could see the deep crevice wherein Peter's home was ensconced. It was there that she first learned of love. The front door closed. Her parents were gone.

Arras stood idle at a green light as a line of cars tooted at him. He could not hear or see anything that surrounded him. He could only see the scene that had just transpired and Lena's face as refused him entry. The cell phone rang bringing him out of his stupor.

"I'm sorry. My mother and father said 'no'. I cannot go out today"

"I love you. It's important that you know that. If anything happens, just remember this. I love you"

"I know. I love you too. I'm sorry that we cannot be together today"

"It's okay. I understand" his voice cracked with sadness.

In truth, Arras did not understand. They lived in a world plagued by immeasurable tragedy. It was a harsh world filled with anger, hate and intolerance. It was only in this place that love could be transformed into a monstrous thing.

"I've got to go, bye" Elyria attempted to hang up.

"I love you"

"I love you too, bye"

There was a time wherein they coexisted without the attraction. There was a time wherein they did not crave each others' presence. There was a time wherein each led an ordinary life outside of each other's awareness.

Arras could not see beyond the immensity of her presence, nor its shadow. It extended beyond his memory's landscape to where a distant horizon lay unseen. If pressed on the issue, Arras would confess to an instantaneous attraction upon their first encounter. It took over four years for him to act on that attraction.

On melancholy, overcast days wherein they were separated, Arras' thoughts lovingly caressed the memories which, together, they had created. In his mind's eye, Arras saw her walking next him as she reached out for his hand. Elyria would place her head upon his shoulder as they walked along the beach. He could sense the soft fragrance that hovered around her and felt the warmth of her touch. Arras caught his breath.

As for Elyria, she found Arras to be a handsome man who responded to her. He treated her like no other person ever had. Arras relinquished control, enabling her to take charge of their relationship. Elyria would decide where they went, how often and for how long. Thus she found the world Arras brought to her as a new and exciting place.

"Who are you talking to on the phone?"

Startled by her sister's sudden appearance, Elyria dropped the receiver "Nobody".

"Nobody! I know who it was and you should not talk to him. No more phone for you. You wait until I tell mother and father about this"

Elyria hastily retreated to her bedroom and climbed beneath her blankets. She clasped her hands over her ears and refused to allow this cruel world to enter. Elyria knew this would be the end of their relationship for she was not strong enough to battle the giants that ruled her life.

Arras, like a wonderful happy fool, would coast through another day before the end would crush the life from him. He communicated his love to Elyria, and that made him extraordinarily happy even though he would not see her that day. Arras did not anticipate the impending doom that sat perched upon the day's horizon.

Arras was not strong enough to battle either Elyria's or his own giants. He was a man of an extraordinarily weak disposition. He did not possess the mettle of a warrior even though life often presented opportunities to develop this skill. He shied away from conflict and often chose the path of least resistance.

Within the next day, Arras would be presented with the greatest battle of his life. There would be no avoidance or sidestepping this one. He made a promise to Elyria that, upon being discovered, he would be there for her and their relationship. They had survived two discoveries thus far. The Quixotic giants of this otherworld place promised that swift and serious consequence if they were to persevere with this relationship.