Past Life Encounter

Chapter one

The Beginning

It was during WW1...(the big one) ...I was a nurse in the Italian Army, under some big Italian Dictator guy...didn't like him much, too bossy. My family lived in the hills, just above Venice, mountain people they were, visiting them as much as the Army would allow, which was quite often, as Italian's are very family oriented.

One day, while on leave, while wandering the mountains, looking for my secret herbs, one day to be famous....Barilla Pasta Sauce......when suddenly.......there was gunfire, and what sounded like a bomb. I ran for cover, the Piave River on one side, the boarder on the other. But which boarder? Austria was the likely culprit...those Austrians with there cloths made from drapes, and singing all the time. Who do they think their fooling anyway?...but I digress. There was only one choice...Switzerland...land of secret bank accounts and legal prostitution.....not a bad choice.

The bombing was getting closer, and it seemed to be following me, so running as fast as I could, for what seemed like days, but in reality was only hours, (I was very fit in those days) finally finding refuge an old abandoned mineshaft. As the battle raged on, food could be found nearby on the berry bushes, and there were plenty of bugs and assorted worms in the mine. I was beginning to think there was no hope for me, and fell into a deep sleep, the kind of sleep even bombs can't disturb.

I must have slept for a day and a half. When I awoke, a strange feeling came over me...as if I were being watched. Looking around slowly, it dawned on me this wasn't the mineshaft anymore...where could I be? Starting to sit up, a voice softly broke the silence....

"Hi there" I looked around and saw no one in the room that was starting to come into focus.

"Who is there?" I called out fearfully.

"It is I, your savior, sweet sleeping beauty" the answer came from across the darkened room. "Are you awake to see me then?"

Straining my eyes to see where the voice was coming from....I then saw a figure sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. As the image became clearer, I could see a smile coming over the face of a man with the blondest hair I had ever seen. I tried to sit up, but before my head was off the pillow, the man in the chair arose and said

"Its too soon to try that...wait a bit longer. I will get you some water, and be still until my return." This sounded logical, even in my condition, so I did as I was told. He returned in a flash and sat on the side of the bed. Putting his strong hand behind my neck, he gently lifted my head to drink the cool water.

"Thank you". I told him. He just smiled and gave me another sip.

"There, that is enough for now my dear" he whispered, as he set me back down carefully on the pillow.

"How did I get here?" I inquired

"I found you wandering and delirious about 10 kilometers from here. I brought you here 7 days ago." he replied. He went on to explain that I had eaten a berry type that is common in his country, but can be deadly. He found them in my pocket when he changed my cloths. Instinctively I looked under the blanket and discovered I was wearing an oversized white shirt...I was guessing it was his.

"You took off my cloths?" I said in an angry tone.

He replied quietly "It had to be done, your cloths were soaked through, I think you fell in the stream before I found you. Please don't be angry with me. I may be alot of things but I would never take advantage of a woman in that state." Then I looked into this man's eyes, for the first time, to see if he was telling me the truth, and that's when it happened. ................The Thunderbolt is what they call it in Italia. I guess they call it love at first sight in most places, (us Italians are so melodramatic...) His eyes were were blue/green, and there was a glow in them that was finding it's way deep into my soul. He then smiled at me as if he knew what I was thinking.

"Can I sit up now?" I asked,

"No, not until you tell me something" he said,

"What would that be?" I replied smiling

"Your name, I am called Jamie Engers" he said holding out his hand to help me up.

"My name is Rosellina....... Rosellina Barilla" I answered demurely.

"Ahhhh...a name as beautiful as the woman, and as beautiful as I imagined" he said as he took a flower from a vase next to the bed and handed to me smiling.

Chapter 2

The Middle

As the days went by, I became stronger. The weakness gradually turned into an energy that I couldn't understand. We went for walks, not far at first, to the stream where Jamie found me, then further, into the meadow that was nearby. Lying lazily in the grass, we talked of our dreams, and hope for a better life. Each telling the other what we had been through in our short lives, and comparing notes on the similarities of the pain that results from those experiences. We talked for hours upon hours about our thoughts on the meaning of life, each bringing the other answers to questions that had plagued us all our lives. Our philosophies complimented each other, and our minds began to open to more questions to be answered, as is always the case when discussions of the infinite arise. Although we often disagreed on the concept of God, the one factor that tied it together was being in the midst of all that is God. The trees, the grass, the sky, with cotton clouds wafting above our heads, and especially in the water. The water seemed to talk to both of us, like a spirit whispering in your ear. Then one day Jamie asked me if I was ready to venture further to the falls. A special place only he knew of. It was not hard for me to decide I was much stronger, and knew I must return home soon. He had told me of this place, and had gone there a few times while I was sleeping. We walked up the stream to a fork where the river feed the stream, and took the river path for a mile. Resting for a while on a rock, I became entranced by the rushing water flowing past the river rocks jutting out of the rapids.

"You are thinking" Jamie said as I gazed at the water.

"Yes I am Jamie, and I don't like what the water is telling me". I said sadly.

"Let us go to the falls now Rose, and then you will see what the water is trying to tell you" he said in a knowing voice. I took his hand, and he led me up the river past the rapids, up a rocky bank, and around a bend in the river. There in all it's glory with the sound of the crashing water from the falls was the mot beautiful oasis I had ever seen. There was a small lake that fell gently to the river. The mountains were taking hold of the countryside, and a bit away I could see them rising behind the falls. This place was more spectacular than Jamie had described. I had to sit down to take it all in.

"There...see the way behind them?" Jamie asked as he pointed to the falls.

"Shall we go then?" I replied with a smile. "The water is beckoning us.

"Then we must obey my sweet Rose" he said, pulling me up off my resting-place. We climbed up the rocks, Jamie guiding my steps, and smiling as if he knew something wonderful was about to happen. As we got to the entrance of the cave behind the falls, Jamie plopped me down on a rock and said. "Wait here for a minute, I'll be right back" and he disappeared behind the water.giggling like a schoolgirl. After a few minutes he returned, beaming a smile towards me. Without a word, he took my hand and led me into the cave. There was a smell of lilacs as we walked under the low rocks at the entrance, strange I thought, lilacs in a cave? Then a soft glow began to appear as we went further into the cavern. The cave began to open to an enormous inner chamber. The ceiling was covered with stalactites glowing from the now apparent candles scattered around the cavern. The walls were also glowing, but I didn't know what I was seeing.

"What is that glowing on the wall Jamie? It's so beautiful!" I asked in awe of it all.

"Crystals my dear Rose, and over there is a silver vein, small and useless. But yes, beautiful nonetheless." he said still smiling. As I looked around the cave I saw a table fashioned from cut logs, and two chairs made out of bent willow branches. To my amazement, upon the table was a vase of flowers...ahhhhh.lilacs. Candles adorned the now visible array of food and wine. There was bread, cheeses, fruit, and one bottle of red wine.

"What is all this my love?" I asked quite puzzled. Without a word he took my hand and led me to the table, pulling me along impatiently. He pulled out the chair and motioned me to sit. Looking at him curiously, I sat down at the table. Handing me a glass as he sat opposite me, he opened the bottle of wine and smiled, still not saying a word. Pouring the wine into my glass, then into his, all the while looking deeply into my eyes. Lifting his glass and holding it out to mine he said " To the beginning of a life of happiness and eternal bliss." Clinking the glasses together gently as I tilted my head slightly, still puzzled at Jamies behavior. As I was sipping from my glass, Jamie tended to serving cheese and bread, still with a curious smile on his face. "Jamie......" I tried to say, but he quickly interrupted. "Hush my sweet Rose, I must do this right." he whispered.

"Do what my love?" I said, as I realized what he meant. He reached into a small wooden box that was sitting on the table, and pulled out something wrapped in cloth that looked like a piece from the dress I was wearing when I was lost. He stood up, took my hand, pulled me up from my chair, and looked deeply into my soul. His face changed from smiling too serious, and I took a deep breath as he began to speak. " Rose, this past month has been the happiest in my life, besides the time I first found this wonderful place. Oh and beside my days with my father on the river fishing as a child, and the first time I discovered my....but I digress." he said with a bit of a giggle. I gave out a little laugh, and gently brushed his cheek with the back of my hand. "You're so sweet," I said smiling. He held out the piece of cloth, and placed it in my hand closing it and squeezing my hand gently.

"This is for you my sweet Rose. Take it and say you'll be mine forever" My hand trembling, I opened it. Inside was a ring fashioned from silver. And etched with scrolling designs of stars. I gasped at the utter beauty of it. "Jamie! ...did you make this?" I whispered "Yes....for you my Rose." he said as he took my hand , and kneeled down on one knee. "Rose....would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Wrapping my arms around his waist, and pulling him into me I whispered in his ear. "Yes my love, I'm all yours."

Chapter 3

The End

It was decided. We packed a few things and headed back to Italy, to ask my parents for they're blessing. The trip was long, and we stopped at the cave I hid in during the bombing. There we gave way to the passion that had been building for a month. Knowing it was wrong made it all that much more exciting. We stayed in the cave for three days, enjoying each other with all the passion young lovers can share, (No, no..no...... that' s another book..*winks*)

We trudged onward to my family home, taking time now and again to rest. When all of a sudden we heard gunfire coming from the Piave river. Jamie pulled me behind him, and looked toward the sounds that began to terrify me. Flashes of my ordeal the previous month rushing through my head. Jamie took my hand, and led me quickly away from danger. Suddenly there were men coming from every direction, rushing to surround us. Being Italian, Jamie knew I was in more danger than he was. I was in a panic, not knowing what to do next.

Jamie whispered to me "Rose run to the river when I tell you" "No...I won't leave you!" I said sobbing into his chest. "Do as I tell you, and don't look back, run as fast as you can. I'll be right behind you my sweet precious Rose...trust me. " He said quietly but sternly into my ear. Lifting my head gently, and looking into my eyes...he whispered "I Love You Rose" Before I could say I wouldn't, Jamie pulled me to the ground and threw up his arms. "Don't shoot!" he shouted. The soldiers turned their attention to him. "Now Rose... run" he whispered, as he ran in the opposite direction away from the river. The soldiers rushed towards him, not noticing my quick bolt to the river. Halfway to my destination, I stopped dead in my tracks, and turned. There was no one chasing me, and a feeling of dread overwhelmed me as I ran back to Jamie. That's when I heard the shot, and a man shouting..."No, No, get the girl, he's not one of them!" Then the other man shouting..."He's dead Sir"

My heart sank, and I began to sob, falling to my knees. I didn't care what would surely happen to me. My life was over, and death seemed appealing to me. That's when I heard a voice, whispering in my ear, though there was not a soul in sight. "Live Rose, for the child." the voice said....over and over. "Live Rose, for the child." I looked around, and realizing that I must do what Jamie wanted, I ran for the river. Hiding under the cool water with a reed to breathe through as my father had taught me as a child. All the while the voice kept whispering..."Live Rose, for the child"

Night fell, and I climbed out of the water, listening carefully for any noise. Nothing but a nightbird singing as if there were no danger to be found. I took my leave of the river, and headed for home, ragged and dazed. Morning came as I reached the hills surrounding my family home. Running as fast as I could, at the sight of my mother toiling in the garden, and my brothers fighting at the front gate.

"Rosellina!!!!!!" shouted my youngest brother as I ran down the hill. "We thought you were dead!" cried Julian, my oldest brother. I met then running into their arms. Pete, the youngest twirled me around with glee.

"Mama!!!!" I shouted running into the garden.

Chapter 3

Really The End

My Father paced outside the room as I called my brother to my side. He sat beside me, and held my hand. "Julian" I whispered. "Take this" as I handed him a crumpled piece of paper. "Use it and take care of my girl" I said as another contraction overwhelmed me.

"Rosellina, why do you say these things? You are scaring me" Julian said desperately.

"Her name will be Sophia, and you will raise her as your own" I whispered to him.

"Rosie, what are you saying?" Julian asked with concern in his eyes.

Labor quickened, and I felt the life draining from my body, I wanted to let go of it, and float away. I looked up, hoping to get one last look at my mother, fretting with the towels, making them just so for the coming child, when I saw a light coming from the corner of the room. The light took shape. And from it a voice whispered " Rose, hold on for the child my love." I took a deep breath, and gave one last push.

"Ahhhhhh..She comes, she comes." my mother shouted. I heard the cry as I slipped further away. "Rosie, it's a girl, just like you said" Julian laughed, not noticing the grip on his hand loosening. Then the light came closer, a figure reached out its hand to me, and I took it. "Now Rose, now it is time" I heard the figure whisper as I floated towards it, no longer in pain, and feeling a warmth I had never felt but once before. Once I was free of my body, the figure slowly came into focus, and I saw a smile come over the face of a man with the blondest hair I had ever seen.... Well almost never.

"Hi There" Jamie said smiling...

Time passed...little Sophia thrived under the tender care of her Uncle. With the help of Rosellina's secret spices, Julian became a rich man selling his pasta sauce around the world.

See I told you it was really The End

Judy Christensen July 1998