Source
The bed sheet stretched smooth at Ranella's tight tugging. The pillow fluffed high at her gentle probing. The warm water gurgled loud at her strong unleashing. Margaret watched with amusement as Ranella removed the breakfast tray. Afterward, she assisted Margaret into the bath chair. Offering a lovely Spanish tune, Ranella urged her to join in. Margaret loved Ranella's caregiving qualities. Likewise, Ranella marveled at the appreciative compliments and pleasant attitude her patient displayed. Returning Margaret to bed, Ranella allowed the warm breeze waffling into the window to take control. She smiled, then slipped quietly from the room.
In the living room, Ranella paused remembering Margaret's statement. "I've lived a full life." Her assignment would end soon. Of that, she was certain. The latest diagnosis from Margaret's physician assured that.
Locating another patient would be difficult unless she spoke English. She was grateful Gregory Holston chose her as his wife's attendant, given her minimal English. She couldn't delay. On her salary, the intermediate college was the best option. She'd scheduled the weekly grocery visit. But enrolling in the language class overshadowed it. Not wanting to disturb Margaret, she removed the laptop from her bag. Muting the sound, she searched and located the language classes, then tidied up.
Just as Gregory arrived, a notification on Ranella's laptop popped up. She rushed over and eased the cover down, and stammered, *"I go to mercado." She shook her head. "Market. Margaret is sleep. Lunch is ready."
He smiled, understanding her need for privacy. "Gracias, Ranella," then switched his gaze and pointed. "Don't forget your laptop."
Ranella rushed outside. Before shopping for groceries, she visited the college and enrolled in an English class. Sitting in the common area, she congratulated herself, then opened her laptop to inform her son of the decision.
Immediately, another notification chimed. Her pulse quickened. For a long second, she stared at the screen, biting her lip while twisting her wedding ring, then quickly closed the top. She pulled out her phone. Her son could advise on her next move. Although he opposed his mother dating again, he realized her desire for companionship.
Ranella's son had no other choice after learning that her patient not only urged, but assisted in uploading her profile on a senior dating site.
The online date was a learning experience.
Reporting the details to Margaret, she smiled and congratulated Ranella, then urged her to learn English. That way, she could avoid miscommunication and broaden her prospects. But she had in mind other plans for Ranella, who resided only two houses down and confided much in her.
At fifty-five, they were the same age. However, Ranella 's vibrant perspective dug a painful hole as Margaret often suppressed a tear. The more her health deteriorated, the more she dwelt on her caregiver and Gregory.
Six months later, Margaret passed away.
The Holston family gathered in Costa Rica for the service, with Ranella attending. During the repast, instead of leaning on his children for comfort, Gregory sought out Ranella. She was the only one dedicated to Margaret in her final two years. Sobbing, he hugged her tightly, then turned and kissed her cheek, barely missing her lips.
Startled and appalled that he would treat her and his deceased wife with such disrespect in front of his family, she pushed him hard, slapped his face, then rushed from his home.
Although residing two houses down, she promised never intentionally to lay eyes on him again.
Regretting his actions, Gregory ran, then stopped. At the driveway's end, he stared blankly at Ranella's back, immediately realizing his mistake. He turned and walked back inside, trying to figure out what overcame him. What plausible explanation he could give to his children for kissing another woman at their mother's funeral.
One year later, the confused dust had no choice but to settle on the awkward repast. Gregory adapted to his routine. The island relocation was for Margaret's health and leisure lifestyle. Now, his only focus was retirement. He glanced at Margaret's photo, sad she would not accompany him on his next journey, then filled out the retirement forms.
As he opened another folder, "Greg's Bucket List" glared at him. He chuckled, then studied the items Margaret proposed.
Enroll in Spanish. Side note. Will need to communicate when you date a Spanish-speaking lady.
Activate senior dating profile. He shook his head vigorously. Too soon.
That was meticulous Margaret.
Gregory enjoyed the Spanish class. His increased proficiency spurred him to take Margaret's advice, get online, and about the business of finding someone to enjoy his retirement. That he would be thinking of this so soon was due to their candid talks. She'd already convinced the children to support his efforts.
With these blessings, he activated his dating profile.
For Gregory, online was a sea of opportunities in an unfamiliar space. His children issued stern warnings. Thrilled he received several notifications after only a week, he proceeded with caution. But he kept returning to one intriguing profile. A coincidence, he pondered and couldn't believe his luck that a lady who closely matched all his interests resided in the same city. The photo looked vaguely familiar, but a different name. Daily for a week, he opened, then closed the site on his computer. But the nights wouldn't allow the tension to shut down the mysterious woman..
For Ranella, two years hadn't erased the hot blush that turned into a tingling sensation on her cheek as she ran from Gregory. What he didn't know was that once home, she threw herself onto her bed. Gregory's kiss penetrated her cheek and floated toward her throbbing heart. Later, with trembling fingers, she opened her laptop and accepted a conversation. A good start in forgetting Gregory, together with her move across town. Now was also time to update her profile, adding English and expanding her dating prospects. Immediately, she received several additional notifications.
That they would meet at some point at college didn't take into account different language class dates' availability. Adding to this, Margaret couldn't have predicted Gregory's ill-timed mistake at her repast, bungling her hard work.
What Margaret was certain of though was that they would cross paths on the dating site.
So shocked was Ranella at seeing Gregory's face for the first time in two years, that curiosity drove her to open and study his profile. Why would he be dating this soon? Surely if he mentioned his recently deceased wife, it would have a negative effect. It was none of her business, she admitted, but she had to discover his motive.
Ranella initiated contact. Gregory answered. Astonished that her interests matched his perfectly, he talked endlessly. She was all he could have hoped for in a companion at this life stage. Her maiden name didn't allow him to make the connection immediately. However, that gentle face and warm smile, different from the profile photo, he couldn't mistake. It was as though she'd left his home for groceries just yesterday.
Genuinely concerned about the other's well being since Margaret's death, they agreed to meet.
Ranella began. "I've had two years to reconcile my feelings. The reason I reacted harshly was for shame the feelings for you. Margaret showed me kindness. I didn't want you to think I was luring you while you wife was ill. She was my adviser."
Gregory smiled, proud of her English. Not as advanced, he attempted Spanish.
"Mine also. After thirty years of marriage, she knew me well. Her bucket list guided me to you. Margaret loved us both and helped us find each other. The kiss. I apologize. I was at my lowest point thinking myself a failure in caring for her. I just wanted to show my appreciation. You did more than I ever could."
In mixed language, Ranella responded. "Margaret said that I would be a good caregiver for her husband because I took good care of her. But being with you will dishonor her trust and memory."
"I don't believe that. Why do you think she advised me to enroll at the same college? I believe she desired us to be able to better communicate with each other. She helped us both with our online profile knowing what we both liked."
"Our profiles say we are a good match. How did you know my information?" Immediately, Ranella remembered Margaret assisting with her profile. "Just because she thought we would be a perfect match doesn't work that way. We need a connection."
"You mean like the one we both ignored?"
Ranella cut a fierce eye at Gregory. "You can't replace my Rafe, and I can't replace your Margaret."
"True. What we can do is forge a unique relationship. They are our precious memories. We are our precious future. That is, if we're willing to take a chance."
He waited. This time, Ranella ran toward his embrace.
Six months later, they became as one realizing that their bodies definitely moved as seniors.
But their passion was ageless.
My story is based on the S&S Invitational: December
馃帴 Genre: ROMANCE
馃す Theme: SCHOOL
Total Word Count for story: 1494****
Minus footer.
! [The Love Language Sacrifice Spanish Translation]
SourceEl sacrificio del lenguaje del amor
La s谩bana se estir贸 suavemente ante los tirones de Ranella. La almohada se esponj贸 ante su suave palpaci贸n. El agua tibia gorgote贸 fuerte ante su fuerte desencadenamiento. Margaret observ贸 divertida c贸mo Ranella retiraba la bandeja del desayuno. Despu茅s, ayud贸 a Margaret a sentarse en la silla de ba帽o. Ofreci茅ndole una bonita melod铆a espa帽ola, Ranella la inst贸 a unirse a ella. A Margaret le encantaban las cualidades de cuidadora de Ranella. Asimismo, Ranella se maravill贸 de los cumplidos de agradecimiento y la actitud agradable que mostraba su paciente. Devolviendo a Margaret a la cama, Ranella dej贸 que la c谩lida brisa que entraba por la ventana tomara el control. Sonri贸 y sali贸 silenciosamente de la habitaci贸n.
En la sala de estar, Ranella se detuvo recordando la declaraci贸n de Margaret. "He vivido una vida plena". Su misi贸n terminar铆a pronto. De eso estaba segura. El 煤ltimo diagn贸stico del m茅dico de Margaret lo aseguraba.
Localizar a otra paciente ser铆a dif铆cil a menos que hablara ingl茅s. Agradeci贸 que Gregory Holston la eligiera como asistente de su esposa, dado su m铆nimo nivel de ingl茅s. No pod铆a demorarse. Con su sueldo, la universidad intermedia era la mejor opci贸n. Hab铆a programado la visita semanal al supermercado. Pero inscribirse en la clase de idiomas la eclipsaba. Como no quer铆a molestar a Margaret, sac贸 el port谩til del bolso. Silenci贸 el sonido, busc贸 y localiz贸 las clases de idiomas, y luego orden贸.
Justo cuando Gregory lleg贸, apareci贸 una notificaci贸n en el port谩til de Ranella. Se apresur贸 a bajar la tapa y tartamude贸: "Voy al mercado". Sacudi贸 la cabeza. "Mercado. Margaret est谩 durmiendo. El almuerzo est谩 listo "*.
脡l sonri贸, comprendiendo su necesidad de intimidad. "Gracias, Ranella", luego cambi贸 su mirada y se帽al贸. "No olvides tu port谩til".
Ranella sali贸 corriendo. Antes de hacer la compra, visit贸 la universidad y se matricul贸 en una clase de ingl茅s. Sentada en la zona com煤n, se felicit贸 a s铆 misma y luego abri贸 el port谩til para informar a su hijo de la decisi贸n.
Inmediatamente, son贸 otra notificaci贸n. Se le aceler贸 el pulso. Durante un largo segundo, se qued贸 mirando la pantalla, mordi茅ndose el labio mientras se retorc铆a el anillo de casada, y luego cerr贸 r谩pidamente la tapa. Sac贸 el tel茅fono. Su hijo podr铆a aconsejarla. Aunque se opon铆a a que su madre volviera a tener citas, comprend铆a su deseo de compa帽铆a.
El hijo de Ranella no tuvo otra opci贸n despu茅s de enterarse de que su paciente no s贸lo la inst贸, sino que la ayud贸 a subir su perfil a un sitio de citas para mayores.
La cita en l铆nea fue una experiencia de aprendizaje.
Al informar a Margaret de los detalles, sonri贸 y felicit贸 a Ranella, inst谩ndola despu茅s a aprender ingl茅s. As铆 evitar铆a problemas de comunicaci贸n y ampliar铆a sus perspectivas. Pero ten铆a otros planes para Ranella, que viv铆a s贸lo dos casas m谩s abajo y le hac铆a muchas confidencias.
Con cincuenta y cinco a帽os, ten铆an la misma edad. Sin embargo, la vibrante perspectiva de Ranella cavaba un doloroso agujero, pues Margaret reprim铆a a menudo una l谩grima. Cuanto m谩s se deterioraba su salud, m谩s pensaba en su cuidadora y en Gregory.
Seis meses despu茅s, Margaret falleci贸.
La familia Holston se reuni贸 en Costa Rica para el funeral, al que asisti贸 Ranella. Durante el banquete, en lugar de apoyarse en sus hijos en busca de consuelo, Gregory busc贸 a Ranella. Ella era la 煤nica dedicada a Margaret en sus dos 煤ltimos a帽os. Sollozando, la abraz贸 con fuerza, luego se volvi贸 y le bes贸 la mejilla, sin apenas rozar sus labios.
Asombrada y horrorizada de que la tratara a ella y a su difunta esposa con semejante falta de respeto delante de su familia, lo empuj贸 con fuerza, le abofete贸 la cara y sali贸 corriendo de su casa.
Aunque resid铆a dos casas m谩s abajo, prometi贸 no volver a ponerle los ojos encima intencionadamente.
Arrepentido de sus actos, Gregory ech贸 a correr y luego se detuvo. Al final del camino de entrada, se qued贸 mirando fijamente la espalda de Ranella, d谩ndose cuenta inmediatamente de su error. Se dio la vuelta y volvi贸 a entrar, intentando averiguar qu茅 le hab铆a pasado. Qu茅 explicaci贸n plausible pod铆a dar a sus hijos por haber besado a otra mujer en el funeral de su madre.
Un a帽o despu茅s, el confuso polvo no tuvo m谩s remedio que asentarse en el inc贸modo banquete. Gregory se adapt贸 a su rutina. El traslado a la isla fue por la salud y el ocio de Margaret. Ahora, su 煤nico objetivo era la jubilaci贸n. Ech贸 un vistazo a la foto de Margaret, triste porque no le acompa帽ar铆a en su pr贸ximo viaje, y luego rellen贸 los formularios de jubilaci贸n.
Al abrir otra carpeta, la "Lista de cosas que hacer antes de morir" de Greg le mir贸 fijamente. Se ri贸 entre dientes y estudi贸 los puntos que Margaret le propon铆a.
Inscr铆bete en espa帽ol. Nota al margen. Necesitar谩s comunicarte cuando salgas con una chica hispanohablante.
***Activar perfil de citas para mayores. Sacudi贸 la cabeza en茅rgicamente. Demasiado pronto.
Esa era la meticulosa Margaret.
Gregory disfrut贸 de la clase de espa帽ol. Su creciente dominio del idioma le anim贸 a seguir el consejo de Margaret, conectarse a Internet y ponerse manos a la obra para encontrar a alguien con quien disfrutar de su jubilaci贸n. Que pensara en esto tan pronto se deb铆a a sus sinceras conversaciones. Ella ya hab铆a convencido a los ni帽os para que apoyaran sus esfuerzos.
Con estas bendiciones, activ贸 su perfil de citas.
Para Gregory, Internet era un mar de oportunidades en un espacio desconocido.Sus hijos le lanzaron severas advertencias. Entusiasmado por haber recibido varias notificaciones al cabo de una semana, procedi贸 con cautela.Pero volv铆a una y otra vez a un perfil intrigante.Una coincidencia, reflexion贸, y no pod铆a creer su suerte de que una dama que coincid铆a con todos sus intereses residiera en la misma ciudad.La foto le resultaba vagamente familiar, pero el nombre era distinto.Durante una semana, abri贸 y cerr贸 la p谩gina web de su ordenador.Pero las noches no permit铆an que la tensi贸n apagara a la misteriosa mujer..
Para Ranella, dos a帽os no hab铆an borrado el rubor ardiente que se convirti贸 en un hormigueo en su mejilla cuando hu铆a de Gregory. Lo que 茅l no sab铆a era que, una vez en casa, ella se arroj贸 sobre su cama.El beso de Gregory penetr贸 en su mejilla y flot贸 hacia su palpitante coraz贸n.M谩s tarde, con dedos temblorosos, abri贸 su port谩til y acept贸 una conversaci贸n. Un buen comienzo para olvidar a Gregory, junto con su mudanza al otro lado de la ciudad.Ahora tambi茅n era el momento de actualizar su perfil, a帽adiendo el ingl茅s y ampliando sus perspectivas de citas. Inmediatamente, recibi贸 varias notificaciones adicionales.
Que se encontrar铆an en alg煤n momento en la universidad no ten铆a en cuenta la disponibilidad de fechas de las diferentes clases de idiomas.Adem谩s, Margaret no pod铆a haber predicho el inoportuno error de Gregory en su comida, estropeando su duro trabajo.
De lo que s铆 estaba segura Margaret era de que se cruzar铆an en el sitio de citas.
Tan sorprendida estaba Ranella al ver la cara de Gregory por primera vez en dos a帽os, que la curiosidad la llev贸 a abrir y estudiar su perfil. 驴Por qu茅 iba a salir con alguien tan pronto?Seguro que si mencionaba a su esposa, recientemente fallecida, tendr铆a un efecto negativo.No era asunto suyo, admiti贸, pero ten铆a que descubrir sus motivos.
Ranella inici贸 el contacto.Gregory respondi贸.Asombrado de que sus intereses coincidieran perfectamente con los suyos, habl贸 sin parar.Era todo lo que pod铆a esperar de una compa帽era en esta etapa de su vida.Su nombre de soltera no le permiti贸 establecer la conexi贸n inmediatamente.Sin embargo, su rostro amable y su c谩lida sonrisa, diferentes a los de la foto de perfil, no le permitieron equivocarse. Era como si ayer mismo hubiera salido de su casa para hacer la compra.
Genuinamente preocupados por el bienestar del otro desde la muerte de Margaret, acordaron reunirse.
Ranella comenz贸. "He tenido dos a帽os para reconciliar mis sentimientos.La raz贸n por la que reaccion茅 con dureza fue por verg眉enza de lo que sent铆a por ti.Margaret me mostr贸 amabilidad. No quer铆a que pensaras que te estaba atrayendo mientras tu esposa estaba enferma.Era mi consejera ".
Gregory sonri贸, orgulloso de su ingl茅s. No tan avanzado, intent贸 el espa帽ol.
"La m铆a tambi茅n.Despu茅s de treinta a帽os de matrimonio, me conoc铆a bien. Su lista de deseos me gui贸 hasta ti. Margaret nos quer铆a a los dos y nos ayud贸 a encontrarnos. El beso.Te pido disculpas.Estaba en mi punto m谩s bajo pensando que era un fracaso cuidarla. S贸lo quer铆a mostrar mi agradecimiento. Hiciste m谩s de lo que yo nunca pude".
En un lenguaje mixto, Ranella respondi贸. "Margaret dijo que yo ser铆a una buena cuidadora para su marido porque cuid茅 bien de ella. Pero estar contigo deshonrar谩 su confianza y su memoria".
"No me lo creo.驴Por qu茅 crees que me aconsej贸 matricularme en la misma universidad?" Creo que ella deseaba que pudi茅ramos comunicarnos mejor. Nos ayud贸 a los dos con nuestro perfil online sabiendo lo que nos gustaba a los dos."* Nuestros perfiles dicen que hacemos buena pareja. 驴C贸mo sab铆a mis datos? "* Inmediatamente, Ranella record贸 a Margaret ayud谩ndola con su perfil. "Que ella pensara que ser铆amos una pareja perfecta no funciona as铆. Necesitamos una conexi贸n".
"驴Quieres decir como la que ambos ignoramos?" Ranella lanz贸 una mirada feroz a Gregory. "T煤 no puedes reemplazar a mi Rafe, y yo no puedo reemplazar a tu Margaret."
"Cierto. Lo que podemos hacer es forjar una relaci贸n 煤nica. Ellos son nuestros preciosos recuerdos. Nosotros somos nuestro precioso futuro.Eso si estamos dispuestos a arriesgarnos".
Esper贸.Esta vez, Ranella corri贸 hacia el abrazo de Gregory.Seis meses m谩s tarde, se convirtieron en uno d谩ndose cuenta de que sus cuerpos definitivamente se mov铆an como los de los mayores.
Pero su pasi贸n no ten铆a edad.
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.