From Me To You

I've been unable to recall the origins as to how I got down to reading "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Judith McNaught. However, I do know that I ever only read Romance novels when I visit the public library. Because it is a habit to borrow two books; one of more serious content, and another easier read to balance. So perhaps for the want of something to occupy my mind and time, I went down to the nearest branch and started browsing. Funny I don't remember the other book now, but it could very well be for the better; friends tell me I indulge in the weirdest topics. And they say it as if that were supposed to frighten you. :s

The story finds Leigh and Logan Manning as one of New York's "perfect" couples. A fateful snowstorm lands Leigh in hospital and renders Logan missing. Thus we delve into the truth behind the glamour. Please don't be so quick to dismiss the plot as another cheesy commercial venture because that's not what was most impressionable about the book. It turned out that Leigh had an encounter in her younger days with the now notorious Michael Valente. At that opportune moment when the famous actress was facing immense distress after her accident, he revealed his true identity with a promise to love and take care of her. For me, having read this story at a time when I was rather disillusioned about love, I was sorely upset with its poor coherence to reality. I couldn't help being so acutely reminded about my own loneliness that you won't believe how much it took for me not to get angry. But I digress.

Lately, it occurred to me that the interesting part happened during one of Leigh's theatre performances. A gift basket of pears was sent backstage accompanied by an enigmatic note. What was written was a mere two words: Love me. Now that I think of it, I've no idea actually if it were from Valente, or a stalker whose identity remained unresolved to the end. Leigh's first reaction was fear. She was horrified by the idea that her stalker knew her to such personal detail. I would have been quite terrified myself :p So I guess the pears were from Valente, considering it wasn't a horror series...In the end, after having rationalized for quite some time, she convinced herself of a different explanation that was quite ingenious. She decided that the note really meant Love, me as in the phrase that Logan would have signed off with. At that time of the incident, Leigh was still in a blissful relationship with Logan, so I felt that Valente was rather selfish in his actions, although that remains but a thought. Perhaps he was appalled by Logan's shady business dealings and believed that Leigh deserved better.

Anyway, I was struck by the simplicity of the delivery of such a profound notion. I keep thinking there's a profound message somewhere, that is. Because if there is one, it evades me still. I only know that I was very impressed with the fact that one almost insignificant comma could do so much to change the meaning of the phrase, and as a result, turn the whole situation over. Aren't you at least in awe of its implications? It's symbolic of what miscommunications could cause, or the things that could have been but didn't come to pass...Which is why, I guess as much as Leigh was very fortunate to have someone to watch over her, and that the couple (Leigh and Valente) were really meant to be, it was Valente's persistence in pursuing his convictions that created a happy ending. Leigh eventually agreed to be his girlfriend. They were married soon after. The beauty of fairy tales :)