To Love or Be Loved ~ Finis

And the final conclusion to the freeverse novella, To Love or Be Loved.

To Love or Be Loved ~ Part 1

To Love or Be Loved ~ Part 2

To Love or Be Loved ~ Part 3

To Love or Be Loved ~ Part 4

To Love or Be Loved ~ Part 5

Marjorie J. Riley

Finders, Keepers

Will and Helen come today, to see where I

have been. I am touched that Will noticed. I

look into his brown eyes, but my mind is on

blue. John tiptoes          down the stairs,

peering at my                 guests. “Will, Helen,

I’d like you to                meet John.” Helen

looks horrified and stares like the moon.

Will’s eyes flash envied brown. “You won’t

keep him.” “Oh yes, I will.” Precious blue.

Something Old and Something New

Ann brought in a bundle of little boy clothes.

ears filled her eyes as her arms clutched her

son’s old things.          “If you plan on keeping

him, Miss, he’ll           need something new to 

wear.” Do I plan        on keeping him? I told

Will I would, but         was I serious? I look at

John, splashing in the tub, smiling from tiny

ear to tiny ear. “Thank you, Ann.  Johnny will

need them.” Johnny? I called him such a

tender name. How could I give him away?

  

Hide and Seek

“Marjee? Find me!” I look behind an

armchair. John giggles when I find him.

“Marjee? Find me!” I see a lump in the

Persian rug. He squeals when I hug him.

“Marjee? Find me!” I find him lying on the

stairs. He shouts when I tickle him.

I realize that something has happened. Inside

me, there is no hole. “Johnny? You found

me!” His eyes blink blue and  his lips smile,

almost if he knew what he did to my heart.

To Love and Be Loved

I don’t know why I decided to keep John. I

just did. I don’t know why I love him. I just

do. John has changed me. I know how to feel

loved and I know how to love. Maybe this is

the love Father always talked about. Love fills

the hole in your heart. Johnny has filled the

hole in my heart. Oh, how sweet to love and

be loved.