A Different Blue

by Amy Harmon

‘Life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.’

“To live without belief is a fate worse than death.” My Joan of Arc. And that was the one Wilson had purchased.

“My father said carving requires looking beyond what is obvious to what is possible.”

Regret is just life’s aftertaste. No matter what you choose, you’re gonna wonder if you shoulda done things different. I didn’t necessarily choose wrong. I just chose. And I lived with my choice, aftertaste and all. I like to think I gave my boy the best life I could, even if I wasn’t perfect.” Bev shrugged and met my eyes steadily. “Knowing you, I’m sure that’s true, Bev,” I said sincerely. “I hope so, Blue.”

“From childhood’s hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring. From the same source I have not taken My sorrow; I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone.”

“And all I loved, I loved alone. Then—in my childhood, in the dawn of a most stormy life—was drawn from every depth of good and ill, the mystery which binds me still.”