By Carolynn Bjorkman
The next day they drove out to the caves; mostly in heartbreaking silence. Jenna was so close to tears it’d be like a dam bursting when her eyes could no longer hold them back. She had no way of knowing Diego sat in the same kind of silent pain. They both knew Diego had to return, but to Jenna, he’d be taking her heart with him. Diego would be leaving his with her.
The journey to the hills where they would say good-bye went faster than necessary. It was almost as if fate considered that a speedy departure would be the best for them both. Then again, Jenna thought, a slow one would hurt more. Soon enough her car pulled up to where she used to enjoy herself. Now these caves would forever be a reminder of a love lost. Of that Jenna was certain. She couldn’t seem to turn her gaze in Diego’s direction. Her level of emotion was on the brink of cracking.
“Jenna?” she heard her name being spoken, and it sent something akin to shockwaves through her, which shook her. And the tears began. Diego pulled her close. He understood her pain perfectly. It was his own. “Jenna, querida…please do not cry,” he begged, “This is difficult for me as well, mi amor,” his voice thick with emotion, “but I must return. I could never believe it possible to enjoy myself as I have with you, here. But please try to understand why I cannot remain.”
Jenna breathed in a shaky, labored breath and somehow found untapped strength to speak. “Believe me, Diego, I do understand; completely. I’m just being selfish. It seems I just found you and now I’m forced to let you leave. And I..”she stopped suddenly.
“Si? What about you?” he probed. He was hoping to hear that this golden haired senorita felt as he did for her. His heart knew. But Diego felt hesitation to tell her what it spoke. And he felt certain that Jenna held back the truth of her feelings too, knowing he must return. In the short time they’d known each other, Diego and Jenna had come to know quite a lot about one another. He knew she would not put her feelings ahead of what was right. She did understand. It just didn’t make parting any easier.
Jenna summoned up courage to speak the truth. “I love you, Diego. As crazy as it seems, it’s gone and happened. I’m sorry.”
Diego smiled down at her. “The truth we should never be sorry to speak. May I now speak the truth and tell you I love you too?” he replied his voice as warm as the desert. As his hazel eyes sparkled with emotion, they suddenly showed sadness. “Come with me, Jenna. Come back to a simple, quiet life with me!” He sounded almost urgent.
Jenna put her arms around his neck and sighed. Twist my arm, she thought. But how could she leave everything here? There were her parents, her siblings, her friends, and her job! Could she possibly live without the everyday things she took for granted? If she had to learn to survive without, she probably could and would. But the circumstances would be different. The luxuries would still be around to return to. Going back to a time they didn’t even exist was something different. And Jenna realized that just slipping back and forth through a portal at her convenience wasn’t the answer. That wouldn’t be learning or adjusting either. Jenna slowly put some distance between them. Her head was lowered and she shook it.
“I don’t think I can do that, Diego. As tempting as it sounds, I don’t think I could simply drop everything and disappear from sight, let alone into another century.” Jenna’s voice choked on the agony of heartbreak. But being the compassionate type she was she didn’t want Diego to feel pity or guilt for this explosion of emotion. She knew he shared it. So Jenna decided to keep a positive, up-beat attitude, starting now. “And besides, how do you think I’d survive without my music and Milky Way bars?!”
The smile on her face and the attempt to laugh warmed Diego’s heart. Never had he encountered someone like this senorita. The faces of the women of this time became vibrant and full of life when they were enjoying themselves. It gave an incredible beauty to them and made them incredibly…desirable. Perhaps it was the freedom they possessed. They were not like the women of his own time. They had beauty too. And they could enjoy the simplicities of life. But they were so…protected and reserved! Freedom shone through Jenna and all the other people of this time. Diego began to wonder which was truly the best. He knew freedom came with a cost. Was life really better here? Or to where he was returning? He would soon find out first hand. For the moment, though, he had to concentrate on leaving this senorita, whom he had come to love, behind.
Diego found the corner he had “arrived” from and looked up to survey the incline. Then, turning back to Jenna, he took in her beautiful face, picked up her hand and kissed it without ever taking his eyes from hers. Then pulling her into a final embrace, Diego kissed Jenna with such intensity, they both nearly fainted.
“Adios, mi amor,” he quietly said as he turned and began the climb upwards to home.
