Walking along a street, Allister realized early on that many of the possible mates passing by, though attracted to him and he to them, would only have in common (beyond attraction) the fact that they had happend to walk along the same street on the same day at the same moment. The odds seemed stacked against it that Allister would find someone who shared all his tastes. It seemed easy for old Adam and Eve. They had but one choice and, since tastes were just beginning, it was not far-fetched to believe that they shared these, too. And, if they did not share tastes, it could be surmised that they would have at least come together for the sheer need of companionship against snakes, giant squids, tyranosaurus rexes, etc, etc.
Allister often wondered what Eden would be like if there were more choices. If Adam had not only a Steve, but a Jonas, Silvia, Juanita, Betty, and Oliver. And Eve had not only an Ava, but a Francesa, Hank, Luther, Serge, and Regina. And vice versas all around. Or if Adam fell for a particularly beautiful elm tree and Eve, a warm meadow.
Some considered this way of thinking blasphemous. Allister was not one of them. Wondering, to Allister, seemed not the beginnings of doubt but the smallest seed of understanding. Allister believed wonder should not be discouraged as sin, but should be encouraged. If not for wonder, we would find ourselves clutching to the ground we were born on, afraid of sea monsters and the edge of the world. Wonder leads to discovery not damnation.
It could be said that these types of blasphemy charges led Allister to lose faith in book versions of beliefs-where pointing fingers seemed more important than shaking hands. The mysteries of beyond were meant for others to debate. For Allister, those would be resolved with time. Spirituality was much larger than Allister. It required others. He understood this. The mystery of how to get along while here seemed more relevant and, in its own way, was also more relevant to a time beyond. And so, Allister found himself putting faith in the rising of the sun. He put his beliefs in the possibilities of people-even those seeming most wretched and broken.
Towards romance, love, companionship; well, Allister resolved to believe that these, too, would be resolved in time. And, perhaps, it was not important for someone to match completely. Perhaps, it was better for them to match just enough.