More Novel in a Paragraph

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A word of explanation: I am writing a novel where short snippets will hopefully tell a story all by themselves but will also combine with other short snippets to reveal a deeper story. Here in my blog, perhaps once a week, I will share a few snippets, but in no sequence or logical order. That part comes much later.

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Okay, so it's not shaping up to be exactly a paragraph--more like microfiction since the literal definition of a paragraph is one and not two or more paragraphs But I'm stuck on the title and since sometimes I make up my own rules, please overlook that I have defined one paragraph far too loosely.

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This continues the writing of book # 2, built around several major characters--some of which are people, some places, some perceptions, some imagination. Thank you as always for coming along for the ride. I'm at a place where I could write non-stop, which is NOT possible, but it's a good feeling none-the-less.

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Seasons
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Casey couldn’t explain her attraction to Catherine: different cultures, different politics, different life styles, different geography, different experiences, different perceptions, different needs. They were two women who found each other in cyberspace one August day with no idea that everything would be formed and reformed into colors and words that nourished and exalted but in the end could not sustain.
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Every day, for hours and months and into years they talked, the first thing each morning, throughout their work days and weekends, and into the night, sharing and reveling in their histories and silly secrets and haunting hopes, laughing together like there was no tomorrow. They were both bright and playful and they brought out the best and the worse in each other, but there was one problem, and it never went away. Casey wanted more. She wanted face time with Catherine, wanted to plan when they would see one another, and Catherine, for her part, although she sometimes allowed herself to be pushed and often delighted in the tension and attention their disagreements caused, steadfastly refused, except on the occasions when, tickets in hand, she finally and nervously agreed, Casey, quelled and quieted by anticipatory peace.
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Counsel # 3

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“You have to have compassion,” Donna begins. “Catherine was your mother in another lifetime. She was a really good mother but she had a personality weakness. It was the culture of the time that women were subordinate to men, the only exceptions were witches and bitches and seducers. If you can understand this, you’ll have compassion for Catherine. She was married with two children. Her husband went off to fight and she got pregnant from another man, she had the baby and she put off what to do. You were that child. "

"There was no way she could stand up about it, she had no plan. When someone spotted her husband coming home, the news spread, she grabbed you up, you were four years and one month old. She ran with you through the woods to place where there was a dug out well four feet across the bottom. It was covered up with logs. She thought she could talk to him first and she’d come back for you, she snuck back and gave you some food. You couldn’t get out on your own. It was fifteen feet deep. You had one blanket, you were emotionally paralyzed. She doesn’t know what approach to take. On the second day she comes back, you are really scared. You think she doesn’t love you, your world was her face. She is paralyzed. You cry, you are so afraid.”

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Donna stops at this point. Casey detects a subtle shift. She continues. “There was a huge storm. You drowned. You died on the fifteenth day. You couldn’t reason at four years old. The whole world was caving in around you, even though there were people around. You died with intense craving and fear and confusion, an utter emotional state.”

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“Jesus,” Casey says. Donna is quick to respond. “YOU have to pick that baby up. You do it, in your mind, as if you were some woman who stumbled through the woods who really wanted that child. This is the energy between saving yourself and being a victim. You want Catherine to save you from these torrid feelings and she never will. So how is the best way to die?"

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"She loved you in that well but know you are going to lose your mind, you slipped away into hallucinations. There was no clarity at death, death was a gift. Your choice is you will never let go or you will leave in harmony and peace without her. You are like a bulldog that won’t let go. That is a beautiful quality—you understand and go after what’s most important—how incredible."

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"You should climb fast away thinking she will make you happy. You will be completely liberated. You will help others from permanently suffering. You will merge with God. Pray for the faith and determination to make that your focus. You cannot be part of the family. Have compassion for her. The supreme way is not difficult if only you do not pick and choose. The only cause of suffering is craving. You are on an incredible path. Let it be.
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