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A message from Claudette pops up. I haven’t talked to her since I called her about my non-baby news.
Her text just reads, “Congratulations. I hope I’ll get an invite.” I stare at it for long seconds.
How does she do that?
I hit the dial button, and she answers right away, laughing. “Hi Ash.”
I’m taken aback by her calling me Ash. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was her. So many things have happened since. I could tell her my real name now, couldn’t I? But I don’t want to get into that discussion.
“How do you always know?” I ask, not bothering to say hello.
“I just had an image of a diamond ring in my mind when I thought of you. Congratulations, darling.”
“Thank you,” I say, smiling. “I’ll send you a picture.” I hold my hand in front of me and take a photo of my gorgeous ring, sending it to her.
Claudette’s timing couldn’t have been better. Her words from the cruise ship have been playing on my mind since Saturday. There are questions I want answers to… would she know?
“Spit it out, darling. There is no need for polite chitchat between us. You can ask me anything.” God, she really can read my mind.
“Remember when you said my soul’s mission was to be complete again? And I told you about the Scottish Gandalf riddle?”
“Yes, there are two other parts to your soul, and you found them.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“I have. I realized it was them when the three of us were together briefly.” I don’t mention it was in the middle of some sort of duel.
“Having found them… and the three of us having been together… even if only briefly,” I stop, struggling to find the right words. “Was that enough to make my soul… our soul complete? And what about Tiero and Aiden? Do they feel different now?”
Duh. I could just ask them, couldn’t I? Or at least one of them.
I’m not sure what’s holding me back talking with Aiden about it. We’ve always been honest with each other. But I’ve been feeling so tired since the weekend and emotionally draining conversations just seem too much.
“I can’t speak for Aiden and Tiero. While I could tune into them, it’s not my place. You are my focus, not them. And whether your soul is complete now, freer… you’re the only person who can answer that question. Do you feel free?”
I fall silent and close my eyes. Sensing that’s what I was doing, Claudette instructs, “Take a few deep breaths and turn inward. Tune into your heart, ‘Am I completely free now?’ Trust that what you perceive is the right answer.”
As I sit in the stillness, the answer is clear.
“No,” I whisper, opening my eyes again. “No, I’m not.”
A fresh wave of tiredness settles over me… or is it sadness? There seems to be a gaping hole in my soul. After getting a glimpse of what true peace is like, this is unbearable. And while the hole isn’t as big as it used to be, it’s an open wound—raw and bleeding.
Tiero… I miss him.
“How then, Claudette? How do I free the three of us? Aiden and Tiero are the opposite sides of a coin. And Tiero has just walked out of my life for good. My future is with Aiden. Do I have to make them both part of my life?”
“They are already… always have been. The three of you are forever intertwined. There is no walking away, darling,” Claudette says soothingly. “The solution exists, but don’t ask me what it is. I have not been shown the complete picture. Only that the wheels are in motion, and at the right time, it will all be revealed. Trust.”
I shake my head, annoyed. I’m not convinced there is a solution to this dilemma. And if there is, I want itnow. But it sounds like there is nothing I can do but wait.
“Trust that everything is unfolding as it should,” Claudette reinforces.
Argh. There is that word again. Trust… it’s got to be one of my least favorite words.
“Each one of you has to learn a certain lesson to grow and evolve. Just look at yourself, how strong you’ve become. You’ve always had it in you, but the events of the past few weeks have brought it out into the open and into your awareness. The strength you’ve gained is going to serve you immensely.”
“Why do you always talk so cryptically? I’d prefer you just spell it out.”
Laughter on the other end of the line has me rolling my eyes. “Where would the fun be in that?” Claudette giggles. “Trust, darling. Trust. All will be fine in the end, no matter what happens along the way.”
