It's all in the game

In these days of the me too movement, it becomes even more confusing when dealing with the past. The past, in fact, is over, except when it is not, because the past is filled with the building blocks for the now.

Trust is built on the past.

Trust of other people, but most importantly trusting oneself, one's own judgement, trusting in one's own ability to read signs correctly.

Great manipulators are chameleons. Vacillating  between victims and saviors they blur the lines of a fairy tale for unsuspecting prey. Prince Charming rides in on a black horse to save the day because he has no choice. He is as much a victim as poor Snow white. Forced into his role because he is Prince Charming, a character who must save the sirens who tempt him with their innocence before he escapes with his life in tow.

It is even confusing looking back. If it was the first foray into the seemingly adult world of love there was no experience to back up the conflicting feelings. Like a fly fisherman, casting and reeling in, experience really does count. The initiation rites the predator uses are confusingly intermingled.

Love is painful. Love is dark. Love is a gift from God. Love is ephemeral. Love is never having to say you're sorry. Love makes everything fair game. It's all in the game.

Even if the object of the game has no idea it is a game.

When a great gamer plays with someone who is naïve and trusting, it changes the future forever.

For one of them.

And it is in the future, once the object has lived a lifetime watching the gamer continue to play, that the past becomes clearer. Still confusing, but clearer.

It really was not love -- at all.