[Open post] pieces of your presence here

[umpteenthdream]

It's one of those late mornings - Helen's been up since dawn, feeling that slow quietness that comes with nostalgia. Her son got married - he and Bridget give her joy, but that has also set her to remembering her own marriage

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[silvereyedphage]

She might find she has company, though he was in search of green tea and red bean mochi. On seeing her, Muraki pauses, one of his rare genuine smiles crossing his face and reaching his good eye.

"Helen... it's been a while, hasn't it, the last time we saw one another?" he says, his voice soft yet husky with a quiet ardor.

[silvereyedphage]

"Then that lays the matter to rest," he says, the disappointment and resignation visible. "This...was not an easy question for me to offer, and if, in some way, it has offended you, I apologize: it is simply that... you have captured my heart, something which only one other woman has accomplished."

[umpteenthdream]

"I am not offended, Kazutaka...." She sighs.

Helen just looks sad.

[silvereyedphage]

He gazes on her sorrowfully, then bows his head to her respectfully. "Whatever comes of this, I still wish to be your friend and to confide in you, if you will have me as a friend and, dare I say it, a patient," he says.

[umpteenthdream]

"Of course," Helen replies gently. "I would be disappointed, and sad, if you had wanted to end all relations."

A beat, and she adds, "but I would have understood, of course."

[silvereyedphage]

"Dare I say, I cannot imagine a life without you as my friend and confidante," he says, gently, even forgivingly, and forgiveness is not something he gives easily. "You helped me to find my soul when I thought that I had lost it."

[umpteenthdream]

"I am honored," Helen replies simply, humbly.

"Thank you for understanding."

A beat, and she reaches to touch his shoulder, hesitates, does it anyway.

"But I should get back to my work - we'll talk soon, yes?"

[silvereyedphage]

He might, typist willing, reach up and touch her hand with just his fingertips, delicately, a surgeon's touch with a hint of friendly reassurance, then relaxes. "We shall: you will always have a place in my heart as a friend and colleague, I can promise you that," he replies.

[umpteenthdream]

Typist allows, of course, and Helen rewards that with a very fond smile.

"And I the same," she says. "In the truth of my heart."

Good place to leave them?

[silvereyedphage]

Perfect place to leave them!