Paradise Retold: An Apple and a Letter

From Lover, Mother, Seeker, Sage

Part I

She saw him lying on the petrified log, ablaze with the fullness of the midday sun. He was breathtaking, almost too beautiful to disturb. Eve walked over anyway, wanting to sit with him, spend time with him, connect with him. It felt enticingly dangerous, in a backdrop of pure innocence.

Her body cast a shadow over him.

“Hi there,” Adam said, pleased to see her. “Have a seat.”

They shared the log, talking until the sun went down. Surrounded by the water crashing below and the full trees above, they eased into each other.

Their connection was undeniable, but she knew that playing with him could be dangerous, could ruin the predictable perfection of their paradise. The message came via the new sensation tickling her where she sat.

In the embrace of that perfect day, a passing of clouds carried the portent of something important. She searched his bright eyes for signs not to proceed. His stunning smile pulled her attention and provided enough fuel to counter any instinct to move away instead of toward. Everything was ideal, she convinced herself. It couldn’t possibly be anything else.