He was Sephardic Jewish. She was Orthodox Jewish turned Reformist. Renegade to endless rituals she once abided, Claire was now spiritual yet non religious; liberated, she believed in ‘One’, in kindness, compassion and that earth would be a better place to live if everyone cared and were free to love.
Ben and Claire lived in the same condo in South Beach on Ocean Drive and ran into each other numerous times in the elevator.
Warm smiles were exchanged each time they saw each other but his devoutness disinterested her, meeting yet another Jewish man was not entirely what she had in mind; until one day, Ben followed her and told her she was beautiful, but of course she already knew that.
As she turned around to thank him for the compliment, she saw a huge smile that glowed in radiance and couldn't help to reciprocate.
He broke the ice.
Boyish, playful and charming, Ben was adorable; he carried all the physique she sought in a man and took an immediate liking to him as they finally exchanged numbers.
Ben was not aware that they shared the same religious background and Claire was not going to tell, at least not yet and only if needed. Her choices must be respected and she was not going to allow any persuasion.
Despite ‘apparent’ differences in religious attachment, they liked each other and got along wonderfully. Ben was intrigued by her uniqueness and respected her ways. They continued seeing each other without any expectations beyond developing a friendship.
They were to be very good friends, except the air felt denser as emotions grew heavier. They longed for more than just a touch of the hands, dreamed of how it would feel like to be locked in warm embraces, to love and be loved by each other.
They both wanted more but fearful that their differences would eventually segregate and tear them apart.
Deep in their hearts, they understood that only cowards and the faithless would admit defeat before a battle was fought. Discounted all odds and improbabilities of an enduring relationship, it was up to them to choose between a good fight for love, or surrender before it began.
They chose to fight and to attest that differences can be overcome.
Four months have passed and their love for each other grew stronger by the day. Since then, they exchanged a different kind of smile whenever they were alone in the elevator, but always tried the impossible to remain in their best behavior.
Belinda Elkaim,
Miami Dating Angst Examiner.
www.belindapassion.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/belindaelkaim2
** Based on true story where names have been substituted for privacy. Opinions are not to be conceived as clinical advice.
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