I stood in front of the
door, afraid to enter. Something had happened to me. My mind was working
for the very first time. Max had meant so much to me, and yet he had
reminded me of someone. Someone I cared deeply for. But of course.
Why hadn't I realized it before? I rushed in to see if my suspicions
were confirmed.
I stood there in the shadows
where she couldn't see me. Maya stood over the stove in her matronly
apron. I felt so many things towards this woman -- gratitude, indebtedness,
warmth and a deep, deep bond that transcended all time.
Maya turned around and
her beauty was overwhelming. I was filled with the idealized admiration
that sometimes fills young boy's hearts when it comes to their mother.
She was the most beautiful one in the world, and I would never leave
her side. I was proud and brave and I would defend this maiden from
harm of any kind, for I was her young knight, and who else did she
have to defend her from the ravages of time. Yes, I would defend her.
I would hold back the future so that she would always be the same,
and...
"Oh, Ward," Maya laughed
and she ran over and hugged me. I held her tightly, rubbing my head
in her matronly roundness. "Ward, you're making so much progress,"
she sighed, "but do I have to be so...well... maternal?"
"Huh?"
"And you're starting to
think now, for yourself, I mean. Maybe you can stop making me into
Wizards and boys and mothers and witches and blind Seers and..."
Something suddenly fit
inside. The protective packaging that is supposed to be removed before
use rattled free and fell away. It was all so clear now. The mask
of impressionable innocence and boyish ignorance had been cast aside
and I could finally See. It had been Maya all along. She had been
my guide and teacher.
I stared at her, and I
saw her as she really was -- a woman with power. She had molded me
and guided me and taught me how to walk and run. I was not a boy at
all. I was a man with a power of my own, and now we would walk together,
side by side.
Maya smiled. Of course
she could read every thought I would ever think. Of course she knew
me, deeper than I would ever know myself. Part of me realized that
she was probably only just a part of me, as she had played so many
parts in my life already. But that was alright. Now I knew all the
Answers. They were so clear in that moment of absolute clarity, and
yet I also knew I'd never see it all in the same light again once
this moment passed. The Truth would run and hide in the shadows of
confusion. But in that moment I knew that I was the Master of all
the illusions of my life. My Purpose was still not clear, but I was
sure that I had to face and change all the illusioned perceptions
that imprisoned my fated existence. And yet, she would be the only
charade that I would keep with me as we begin together along the road
towards my ultimate destination as the one who was Chosen in the Plan.
"Welcome home," Maya whispered
as the night wrapped about us in sensual delight.
