The night I had been eagerly awaiting had finally arrived, date night with Mary. Oh sweet Mary. Beautiful Mary.
We arrived at our favorite restaurant dressed in our finery. Mary was looking radiant as ever. Other couples there, and took notice of our entering.
I felt an unspoken acknowledgement from them, but really, I knew it was Mary who had gained their attention. It didn't bother me though. If anything I was proud.
I was lucky enough to be matched with her, and even more so for her to accept me. God has truly smiled upon me. Ever since meeting her, I've had drive and direction.
Of course, it didn't seem that way at first. I still remember our first date. Well, mostly. I remember the nervousness. The apprehension. The screaming.
In fact, it's hard to remember a lot of things before meeting Mary. But that doesn't matter. Life without Mary is no life at all.
My precious Mary. Wonderful Mary.
The date was going well. We didn't speak much. We didn't need to. We both knew how each other felt. We were connected beyond words.
The other couples were like us. Connected. Wordless. But we were different. Mary was above them all. I could tell they were looking too her, following her lead.
This was good, because soon a new couple entered. They weren't like us. They weren't truly connected. We all felt a great tension fill the air. It was palpable.
We all watched them, with them remaining unaware. Speaking to each other like blind fools. Unable to truly understand one another. It was maddening.
I felt a pounding in my head. It grew more and more intense. My whole body began to tighten. It was unbearable. I looked at the other couples, and I knew they were all feeling the same as me.
But once I felt Mary's hand on mine I felt the weight leave my body. I could see the others' relief as well. Once again, Mary guided me. Guided us.
My loving Mary. Shining Mary.
Despite the affront going on nearby, the date was still going well, but I knew that something was going to have to be done. I looked at her, and she gave me a sweet smile of reassurance.
The moment I waited for would soon come, though. The woman excused herself and headed to the restroom. A moment or two later, Mary turned ever so slightly to the others and gave the smallest of nods.
A few other women rose and followed the first into the restroom as well. The man never noticed. He was locked in his own singular world. That would soon change.
The thought of it made my heart race. But again Mary calmed me with her very presence. Soon.
My spirit was calm. I was ready to bear witness.
Soon, the woman returned from the bathroom, followed by the others. She was disheveled, the front of her stained and splattered black. It went well. I could sense it.
She made her way back to her table, and her date. He was alarmed, which was understandable. He didn't understand, but he soon would. The woman tossed the table aside and accosted the man.
He was alarmed, of course, but quick to push her away. He questioned her with his useless words and she made another rush for him. Again he was able to overpower her and keep her away.
I started to rise from my seat, but again I felt Mary's hand on mine. Silly me, this night was about us, after all. Other gentlemen rose instead and rushed over to the scene.
They grabbed the confused date and held him down. He struggled in vain. His date approached and dropped down on top of him.
She planted her hands firmly on to his shoulders and released the torrent of black, viscous fluid from her mouth.
It had begun.
He struggled and panicked as he was smothered by the blessing being bestowed upon him. He gasped and gagged as it filled his mouth and got in his eyes.
It was truly a beautiful sight. Soon he would be joined like the rest of them. This was the blessing of Gelg, the great and viscous joiner.
The man gurgled as he was unable to keep resisting, forced to swallow. The fluid squirmed and entered his eyes and nose as well.
He writhed as his date stood with the other men and took a step back. Soon his body stopped its twitching and he was still, for a time. Then, he rose anew, reborn.
He and his date gazed at each other with new understanding. They too could feel Gelg's guidance in their life. No longer would they need to worry about having direction.
Gelg would guide them towards it's own designs. I envied the man. The joy of a newly joined person is indescribable.
I had Gelg to thank for it. For having it send Mary to me and bring me into its embrace. Gelg's blessing was especially strong with her, she was closer to it than any of us.
Of course, she could sense how I felt, and again she touched my hand and in a truly rapturous moment, she spoke to me with her sweet voice.
"Darling," she said, "Lord Gelg approves of us. But it was not its choice to pair us together. I chose you myself."
Oh sweet Mary. Beautiful Mary. I don't deserve you.