The Fragrance of Her Name Read Online Free PDF

need him to, comfort me when I'm in despair…he'll never, never let me run away when I'm upset or in tears when we have our tiffs…always he'll come after me"
    "You make him sound like a slobbering pup!" the Captain asserted.
    "Oh, no! Never. But he will love me. And if he cares for me and loves me…he'll care what I think and what I feel. He'll be interested in my opinions…rare quality in a man, from what I've seen of the world. He’ll be perfect! Perfectly imperfect , you understand.”
    "And what will you offer, my girl?" he justifiably inquired.
    "Me? I'll be a slave to my love for him…to his love for me. I'll care for his needs and his household…and our children! I'll love him as much when I'm 80 as I did the day I met him. More even than that! I'll make certain to converse with him…to listen to his concerns, to nurture his mind and interests when I can. I'll make him laugh when he needs to…and even when he doesn't. I'll love him with everythin’ that I am. So deeply that nothin’ on earth could possibly match it!"
    Lauryn smiled up at the Captain as he halted their waltz. He smiled back briefly and then his smile faded as he spoke. "I can tell you, Lauryn…that there will be such a man for you."
    "Now you sound like my Daddy, Captain. But I know that even you can’t promise me such a blessin’ as a man like the one I dream of," Lauryn told him reaching up and patting his cheek affectionately.
    "But I can, Lauryn.” The Captain’s face was serious and there traveled through Lauryn’s body a sudden disconcerting chill as he spoke. "There is such a man alive on the earth…already a man, though you're still a girl. And…and you were born for him…as he was for you. Just as Laura and I were born for each other. The bond between you and he was fastened long before time was counted. Your love, infinite in perfection, existed before."
    "Surely you do not profess reincarnation to me, my Captain," Lauryn mumbled, confused and rather frightened somehow.
    "No. Each soul has one worldly existence. One. And in waiting its turn, often relationships are formed before birth that stretch out from beyond and bind people. It's why you must, and will, recognize him when he enters your life. Maybe not in that first instant. It may be gradual. But…you’ll know him. For those souls, few though they may be, that have been bound before…never find complete happiness if they do not find each other here. Likewise…as it is with Laura and me…despair can imprison them if they are lost on the way back. For where is Paradise if not with those you love more than your own life?"
    "Where is he?" Lauryn asked. For she knew that the Captain always spoke the truth. "When will I…how will I know him?"
    The Captain cupped her cheek gently in his hand. "Never fear, my girl. You’ll find him. Or he’ll find you. Now, no more worrying about it. Let's have one last waltz. You really have improved on your cross over step."
    "But…" Lauryn started to argue as he began their dance.
    "I can tell you nothing more, Lauryn. I've said all that I can. Just know that you will not be lonely in life after you have reunited my love and me."
    Then the Captain began to waltz more determinedly and yet, more slowly. Lauryn had the feeling of weightlessness somehow as if she were suddenly lifted into a dream. And in that moment the Captain's face changed. Simultaneously her surroundings seemed to alter, appearing softened and fuzzy. But it was the Captain who held her attention. For she no longer danced in the Captain's arms. Or did she? Before her, dancing with her, and yet not, was another man. Definitely a full-grown man. A great deal taller than the Captain. But his face was clouded, as if a thick fog danced between them. And it seemed as if he said her name, though she could not hear him. As she tried to see him, tried to further discern his appearance through the veil of fog about her, she could sense her name being spoken from his lips.