The Power of Love

April 28, 1662
Parker-- age 18:

Parker's father died when a tree he was cutting fell the wrong way and crushed his body.
People in the village swore up and down Parker had placed a curse on his own father. His obvious lack of caring did little to erase that belief.

September 19, 1665,
Alden-- age 20,
Parker-- age 21:

".......People shun him because they say he is insane. I confess I believe he is. Lord Hemispot died when his house burned down in June. I thought Parker would be free then, return to us, but my hopes proved to be false ones; He has grown worse. The phobia the villagers had placed on Hemispot has now been transferred to William. They claim he is a warlock and therefore evil. Sometimes I hear the towns' people muttering about taking his life, freeing themselves of the corruption he bears. I have made fun of them, talked them out of doing that wicked act, but there will come a time when they will no longer listen to me.
"Parker lives in his father's cabin. He wanders around, not speaking, drunk most of the time. He neither bathes nor washes his clothing. His hair is lank, long, filthy. There is a look of death in his eyes. "You must come. I fear you are the only one who can reach him. I do not know why I felt thus, but I do. I have no right to request a change of plans on your part, but if anything of the friendship you once shared with William remains, you must come."
Alden reread the letter. Of course he must go. The dreams he had been having now made sense: Parker wept in them. He cried for help. Alden had struggled in his dreams to reach his friend but there was always a thick, hideously-black curtain between them.
Going to Paris to study art would have to wait. 
Parker needed him.
The love he had felt for his friend returned. It resided strongly in his heart, his soul. It was a magnificent thing, beautiful. . .different than when they had been boys together. Alden loved Parker as only a man could love another man. He highly doubted Parker would ever return it, but love couldn't be stopped simply because it wasn't returned.
Love, if it was real enough, lasted forever.