Our bodies teetering on the verge of eternity, I pressed my forehead against Selena's, staring into her spectacular eyes. We shared everything in that moment: hopes and dreams; fears and failures; what we had been and what we would be. The oeuvres of our lives were laid bare, imparted to each other through our linked gaze.

And then the fullness of release found us. I died, was reborn, and died again.

When I came back to myself, Selena was looking at me with open wonder.

"John... that was...," Selena finally whispered, her words faltering. "I want to say incredible, but even that doesn't do it justice."

I smiled. "Sometimes even...