Talking to lil Eve, I suddenly saw the truth, like a beam of light falling warm upon me.  I watch her as I would watch a sister...pushing her hair out of her face absently, picking apart her food before she eats it...feeling as though I have known these getures all my life.  In months, I've fondly watched her bloom, unaware of her own beauty and grace, even as the people about her are stunned by it.

She's an innocent, giving creature, and I adore her. Since I have had my children, she's the closest thing, aside from Riaz and Josie, that I have had to a best friend.  I trust her with a trust beyond expression, I admire her witty attitude and sparkling personality, and I feel myself relaxed and at ease when I am with her.  When Brutus looks us over and asks me if we are sisters, I feel honor immeasureable.

 I will not betray this tender seal by coveting lil Eve's first chance at romance, not when I have tasted it already myself, and found the fruit bitter.  I can put aside these feelings, the feelings for you that have remained nameless, trapped within me.  I will lock it away, buried deep, in order to keep her close to me, to avoid making, once again,  the mistakes I have made in my past, due to my own stupidity.  And as I realize this, my heart swells with peace and contentment.  I know this is right.  This is real.

I will not risk losing the careless feminine banter, the girlish laughter, the indelicate secrets and silly jests we share, over feelings of melancholy passion that I do not even hold hope you return.  I refuse to torture myself over a taudry affair that may only be in my own mind.  The time has come in my life, to stop punishing myself for imagined sins.

Fare thee well.