Waking up the next morning had never been so hard for Maria. She had nightmares that haunted her every time that she closed her eyes. Visions blurred her memory and made her judgement hazy.

Maria shook her head as if that simple motion would clear everything up and make it all right again. When she stopped, she noticed that nothing had changed.

She showered and changed and walked down the stairs. Not caring if anyone saw her without her robe. She found who she was looking for. Her other half of the curse. If anyone else saw her they couldn’t lay claim on her. All that they would see would be the jealousy, envy, and lust that they would have with her looks.

And Isaac; well Isaac would see her for all that she was and all that she was to become. Yet, they would never share the same destiny nor the same future.

When she sat in the front room she noticed that her uncle was staring at her proudly.

“Did Aunt Tearsa tell you about what happened?” She asked softly.

Joseph nodded his head slowly. “Baby, who owns this other half of your curse?” He asked gently.

Maria struggled. “I cannot tell you, Uncle Joseph. And you know that as well as I.” She stated calmly.

“Yes, Baby. I know. But I am going mad with curiosity. I wonder who Grandmother Marie would want to use against you.” He said carefully as he looked up at her.

“She did not use him against me. But more against my father!” Maria said angrily. “Never make the mistake of comparing me to Great Grandmother nor my father’s faults on me!” She was standing now and her cheeks were flushed with heat from her anger.

Joseph knew he had struck just too close to Maria’s heart. He slowly backed down. “I am sorry…” He started before Maria rushed off into the back yard.

Isaac was sitting outside his house on the deck thinking about last night. It was as if he had heard Maria crying. But figuring that he was just imagining it he never gave it too much thought.

But he felt it again. And he knew this time, Maria was crying. Maria if you can possible hear me, come out. Come out here and see me. He spoke carefully, slowly, gently in his mind as he closed his eyes and kept them closed. Hoping that someway Maria could and would hear him.

After a few seconds, Isaac opened his eyes.

And nearly jumped in shock and in fright. Maria was looking down on him, asking if he was all right.

“I’m fine.” Isaac said his voice breaking slightly. He cleared his throat. “I’m fine.

“How about you?” He asked as he wiped away one of her tears.

Maria melted from the tenderness he shown when he brushed her tear off her cheek. “I’m f-ff-fine too.” She answered as she stuttered through her last word.

Isaac smiled at her as he stood up. “Do you have any idea what is going on?” He asked gently.

Battling with the thoughts of telling him and not telling him occupied Maria’s mind for a split second before she nodded her head. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

“Would you mind clueing me in on it?” Isaac asked as he motioned towards a couple of chairs.

Maria nodded her head again. “I will explain. But you may not understand. Nor believe me.” She said quietly.

Isaac shrugged. “There’s always chances in life.”

“Oh, I know.” Maria stated as she slowly sank into her chair.

She waited until Isaac was seated. “You are laced up in a curse with me, set by my Great Grandmother Marie.” She said calmly as if she were talking of the weather and not their future.