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"I came to apologize to you for what I've done to your granddaughter,"
said Adam. "I assure you, it wasn't intentional."
"I believe that," said Vera, wiping a tear from her eyes. "I believe
you never intended to fall in love with Charlie."
Adam was stunned silent. He tried to open his mouth, but the words wouldn't come.
"You see," explained Vera, "like you, I didn't think Charlie was experiencing
anything but an immature, schoolgirl crush. But this morning, she told me WHY
she loved you, and I had to admit to myself that the one not facing reality the way
it really and truly was, was myself-- and not her. She has a rational, honest, and
pure love for you, Adam. And though it's true that your ages are so far apart, I
can't deny that she loves you. I don't pretend to know you so well that I can claim
to know your heart, but I think you do love my granddaughter. Yours is not
an easy situation-- I know," continued Vera, "but if you look into your
heart, I believe you'll have to admit that what I'm saying is true."
"But, it's not right," said Adam, "for two people to be together that
are so different in ages."
"I know I'm taking a great liberty with you to speak my mind, but if you'll
bear with me a little longer, I'd greatly appreciate it," said Vera.
"Please, continue," replied Adam.
"I know you said it's not right, but I wonder-- can you show me anywhere in
the Bible that affirms this belief?" inquired Vera.
Adam was silent.
"'Charity doth not behave itself unseemly,'" quoted Adam.
"May I ask, what is 'unseemly' about Charlie's love for you?" questioned
Vera. "Maybe, what you're confronting is your own prejudice about such relationships,
for if you go a little further in that same passage, it reads, '[Charity] seeketh
not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity,
but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all
things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth... And now abideth faith, hope,
charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.'"
Adam was deep in thought. He knew that passage from the Bible all too well. It was
the very chapter from First Corinthians he had insisted on publishing, along with
every music album he had ever created.
"Do you love her?" asked Vera. "Please, be honest."
"I don't know," answered Adam, slowly. "I've never allowed myself
to even contemplate it for a second. I never even thought it might be possible."
"Please," begged Vera, "go and think about what I've said. Leave now,
for she'll be back home, shortly. I don't want her to find you here."
Adam got to his feet to leave. Before he left, though, Vera had a request.
"If you find you don't love her, I must insist that you never come to this house
again," stated Vera, gravely.
Thoughtfully, Adam nodded in agreement. He quickly departed Twin Yucca as silently
as he had returned.
When Charlie arrived home from school that day, Vera kept Adam's visit a secret.
Whether Charlie would ever see him again or not, was up to Adam.
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these
three; but the greatest of these is charity."
~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 ~
"When I [Charlie] was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child,
I thought as a child: but when I became a [woman], I put away childish things. For
now we [Charlie and Adam] see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face."
~ 1 Corinthians 13:11, 12 ~
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