The chair continued to bear the brunette’s weight, its fabric warm from her occupancy.  She remained seated and unsure how to proceed.  The unforeseen request mired reaction, thoughtful or otherwise.

To a considerable extent she had the upper hand when the couple’s interaction commenced tonight.  After all, she initiated the conversation and proposed action. 

Shielded in darkness while waiting for her partner’s arrival, she envisioned a number of scenarios and consequences.  As she had done countless times with the artwork she loved, the dissected sections of their conundrum were analyzed and scrutinized then intellectually positioned.

Bette knew she would not have all the answers.  What she knew for certain was that they couldn’t linger in this state much longer.  More so, that she didn’t have the answer. 

But yes, she seized the occasion yielded by the tranquil and empty house to prepare.  To establish a readiness for prospective reactions expressed singly or in combination.

Harsh words.  Bewilderment.  Doubt.  Concurrence.  Tears.  Relief.  Suspicion.  Fear.  Indifference.  Rage.  Denial.  Confusion.  Withdrawal.

The quiet contemplation meticulously executed albeit influenced by her apprehensive state failed to anticipate this particular response.  The purported innate advantage of reflection done in advance was lost in the wind. 

None of the iterative conjectures or different hypotheses fit with the present circumstance.  Her partner’s articulated request had not been considered. 

Of course it did not occur to this woman that her surrender tonight was more powerful in effect than any precise if not forceful action.  That which typically characterized her bearing.   In its place, the vulnerability manifested in the admission was as commanding as any willful display. 

The offered weakness was matched by the measured and purposeful response from her partner.  Fortified by a latent resolve.  Spurred with the knowledge that their connection needed to be manifested to complement the truth she believed their hearts knew.

Now emotionally spent, Bette questioned her own aural acuity.  So there she sat – dismantled by their plight, taken by surprise and pining for rescue. 

In the midst of sorting muddled thoughts and reflections, her partner again took command of their present.  Tina reached for her lover and both all but abandoned rational thought. 

Curled at the waist she positioned herself directly in front Bette.  Staring deeply, the silent conversation revealed and affirmed reciprocal adoration, both pairs of eyes filled with emotion.  Indeed neither would deny seeing fear, uncertainty and hurt in mirrored expressive glares. Yet nothing would thwart what came next.