She sat by the pool, looking at her twisted reflection. There was something that looked similar to mud spattered across her pure white robe, and her hair was rather frumpy. Even her complexion looked pale. Tears streamed down her face. A hand reached down and touched her shoulder. She curled up, putting her back squarely to Him.
"Don't touch me." She said, although it wasn't harsh. It was almost protective. "I can't have you do this for me. It should be mine, and mine alone to carry." The hand now rested on her shoulder, and the person knelt down next to her. She would not look at him.
"Please." She whispered through her tears. There was a sigh from the man, but he stayed put. He placed both hands on her shoulders, and she stood. He wrapped one arm around her shoulder, and began to lead her on the beaten path that lead around the pool. Still, she cried.
"I cannot ask this of you." She whispered. He shook his head: You don't have to. "But, you'll--" He nodded sadly.
"I'm sorry. This isn't who I am, I promise. I don't know how I got dragged into this. This isn't..." her voice trailed off. "Forgive me. I can't believe that I could, that I would, do such a thing. I swear to you, I can't do it. It feels awful, and I know I'm not doing what I'm supposed to, but it's like... like I can't stop. Only when it's been said and done can I see the things that I've done, the damage that's been dealt. Please," her voice quivered, and she finished with a whisper: "Forgive me." Tears flowed freely, but down her face and his.
He stopped her, back in the same spot he'd found her, and turned to face her. "It's OK." He said. She couldn't bear to look at him. It was as if she could feel the weight of her guilt simply by looking at him. But he put a finger under her chin, and lifted her face to look at him. There was love in his brilliant blue eyes. "I forgive you."
He hugged her, as a father might hug a child, and she could feel, in her heart, the forgiveness as well as his love. This was repentance.
wow. good!
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