The storm before the calm

The conversation started innocently enough. Just a simple "hello, how has your day been so far?"

It started well.

But there was underlying tension. Misunderstood words.

Frustration.

Assumptions.

Longing.

Sadness.

She was in a good mood. She was hiding all of that. Those emotions were underlying but forgotten for the moment.

Like some current of electricity, the hidden parts are felt by him. He is connected, clued in... he SEES her even when she chooses not to be seen.

He can't stand it and he dives into the riptide of underlying tension....

Why now? Now isn't a good time. Now is... other people listening, watching, as she grips the phone tighter, trying to hold it together.

He won't let go. He allows the waves of all of her emotion sweep over him and he begins reacting, frustrated, sad, assuming....longing.

She leaves the room, rushes away where she can pour it all out - pour it into the little black receiver in her hand. He is turning her inside out and she can no longer fight it.

She spills it, every last drop of the tension and every tear she has been resisting. She isn't sad. She isn't frustrated. She is no longer assuming or longing.

She is LOVE. The emotions she has been hiding are not all of the ugliness. She has been hiding love.

She can't even recall the words the moment they leave her lips. They are out there, leaving him speechless as he listens even closer, opening his heart and his arms. He sees her ever more clearly as she allows the love back into her emptiness.

And then somehow, once again, the distance disappears and calm returns. Once again, they're swimming, accepting, holding each other tightly, loving the LOVE they have found, side by side in peaceful waters.


**I wrote this after an exhausting afternoon phone call with Gentleman Jack last week. I can tell its been too long between visits when we have moments like this. Looking forward to the weekend...**