Wednesday, November 30, 2005
By now our audience has grown slightly. The cook has finished for the night and left muttering something about the full moon and crazy folks coming out at night. The waitress has finished her closing routine and turned off the main sign - the diner is closed. But rather than inviting us to leave, the waitress takes a seat in the booth with the two strangers. They all seem to be enjoying the show, now that it is plain that it is all voluntary, and Janice has actually requested this training.
From where I am sitting, I can see the marks you've left. You reach out and, with one finger, gently trace the first mark. I can see what you're doing, but I'm also watching Janice's face. She flinches at your first touch, but then begins to relax as you trace the remaining marks. Arthur is watching as well, and I am not sure what is going through his mind when he sees his wife reacting that way to your touch.
I close my eyes for what seems like just a moment, and when I open them again you are kneeling on the floor beside Janice, cupping and soothing her sore ass with your hand. Your other arm is around her, and her head is on your shoulder where she is learning another lesson, perhaps the most important one. She is leaning on you while she releases her pain through tears, and learning that she can count on your strength when things become too difficult; that she can turn to you when she is feeling confused or has too many choices and can't decide. She is learning to trust that you will always be there for her, and that you always have her best interests at heart, even when she doesn't understand your reasoning. She nestles her head into your shoulder and relaxes as you comfort her... she may not get it all right away, but she's beginning to be yours.
From where I am sitting, I can see the marks you've left. You reach out and, with one finger, gently trace the first mark. I can see what you're doing, but I'm also watching Janice's face. She flinches at your first touch, but then begins to relax as you trace the remaining marks. Arthur is watching as well, and I am not sure what is going through his mind when he sees his wife reacting that way to your touch.
I close my eyes for what seems like just a moment, and when I open them again you are kneeling on the floor beside Janice, cupping and soothing her sore ass with your hand. Your other arm is around her, and her head is on your shoulder where she is learning another lesson, perhaps the most important one. She is leaning on you while she releases her pain through tears, and learning that she can count on your strength when things become too difficult; that she can turn to you when she is feeling confused or has too many choices and can't decide. She is learning to trust that you will always be there for her, and that you always have her best interests at heart, even when she doesn't understand your reasoning. She nestles her head into your shoulder and relaxes as you comfort her... she may not get it all right away, but she's beginning to be yours.
