Chapter 14 - THE LOVE THAT MADE ROOM FOR YESTERDAY
Clara and I began dating slowly.
Coffee.
Walks.
Dinner.
Long conversations.
No pressure.
No deadlines.
No expectation that she would forget Daniel.
Sometimes she talked about him.
Sometimes she cried.
Sometimes she laughed at memories that surprised her.
I listened.
Because loving Clara meant loving the life that had shaped her.
One evening, she showed me Daniel's photograph.
I smiled.
“He looks kind.”
She nodded.
“He was.”
I looked at her.
“I'm glad you had him.”
Her eyes filled.
“Really?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
She stepped closer.
Then kissed me.
This time, she didn't pull away.
Later, we sat on the porch.
She rested her head against my shoulder.
“Nathan?”
“Yes?”
“Are you sure this doesn't bother you?”
“What?”
“That I still love him.”
I looked toward the yard.
Then answered:
“Clara, I'm not trying to replace Daniel.”
She lifted her head.
I smiled.
“I'm trying to build something with you.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“And there's room for both.”
May you like
She kissed me again.
And this time, she smiled afterward.
