The Epilogue:

And so my young man returned to his homeland to rekindle his love for his family and his country. After recovering from being bedridden with back pain from an ancient injury in a long ago battlefield, Duncan is faced with another challenge. His father had a stroke! Duncan must choose between returning to the U.S. to join his brother who is already a citizen or stay to help his aging parents in their time of crisis. He stays!

I knew his heart would never let him leave his family and I am proud. The karma has changed for us. Although he tried many times to explain that what we had was transitional, I couldn't or wouldn't let go of what I craved to have again. Emotionally I swung from low to high extremes and as he predicted came to see the truth in our relationship. We had what most would agree was a once in a lifetime connection of two old souls. Our comfort with each other was liken to a happily married couple who read each other's thoughts and communicated telepathy's throughout the day. The peacefulness and generosity between us was overwhelming. I had found heaven in my tiny apartment, three floors up overlooking the river Trinity in Fort Worth, Texas.

Today, we visit weekly online and read each others blog thereby witnessing each other's emotional growth. He is my friend and I his. He encouraged me to go forward with the trip to Italy and to keep writing poetry. He understands my need to write about our relationship, my feelings and my progress to the woman I was meant to be. I think everyone should have at least one summer romance that lingers gently in your heart to soften you for the future.

No regrets, moving forward, Cookie!