08) WHAT'S HAPPENING, EXACTLY?
β The one where Damian is challenged to look at a new future with a new partner
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Damian and Cassie, his dominatrix wife who's asked for a divorce, are exploring the possibility of reuniting, but there's a complication: Cynthia, Cassie's submissive new partner. Cassie has asked Damian if he would consider visiting them and taking a "baby step" to see if he can deal with a third in their relationship.
"Yes."
It's the first word I say to Cass as we start our now-weekly sunset walk in the park.
She smiles at me slowly as she understands it's my answer to her invitation from last week. She wants me to better understand her relationship with Cynthia in a "baby step" to see if there's some way of dealing with this convoluted relationship. She knows it's hard for me: I don't share well. But as she accepts my answer, she says "Thank you, Damian." Then she gets on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek.
"You know, Damian... therapists actually suck at it when we're too close. You're right... I should've known how to handle Lily. I should've seen you for what you really were and not demonized your journey. I shouldn't have allowed myself down that well of sorrow and self-pity.
"Freud once was asked 'how many people need therapy?' His answer was correct: 'statistically speaking... one out of one of us.'
"I was too close. Too close to it all...."
We walk quietly and amicably... what we've needed to say has been said and more conversation seems unnecessary. What we say tonight, we say just by being present. Feeling each other's existence as an integral part of our own.
And I realize we're holding hands. I don't remember who took whose hand. But we're holding hands.
Watching the sunset reflected in the calm river water while leaning over the side of the arched stone bridge, it happens. I can't look at her when I say it. But it's time to communicate.
"I still love you, Cass."
She looks up at me and touches, then holds my shoulder, turning me to her. She wraps her arms around me and nuzzles her face into my chest.
"I still love you, Damian Hayes."
And we both fight the urge to sob.
".. and I'm still angry at you, Damian."
"...and I still hate you, Cassie."
But we're still hugging.
"Damian, we have to find our way out. This is killing us both."
I just nod.
And we're still hugging.
And we're still hugging.
--
Tuesday rolls around. I don't even press the doorbell before Cynthia lets me in - someone in the lobby or her video doorbell must've alerted her. She's wearing a beautiful short silk dress with embroidery all around. It accents her gorgeous long legs.
It's a beautiful, giant penthouse with grand open spaces and meticulously decorated accents. I ask myself how a person can live in a museum.
I guess there's money in perversion...?
Cynthia gives me a hug and a kiss. Wow... this is our first kiss - it's so casual and natural, but: this is it! Her lips are soft and sensuous.
Then Cass comes from another room, still dressed in a demure blue suit - probably straight from work -- and gives me a hug and a kiss too... this one more lingering. I'm given the tour and notice that there's a locked room in the bedrooms hall that isn't on the agenda. Remembering what Cynthia does for a living, I'm guessing that's her "red room." It sends a shiver up my spine, but I sense something I don't expect - the shiver may not all be because of fear: there might be a measure of titillation in that shiver. And that revelation surprises me. I'm surprising myself.
Cass excuses herself for a minute and returns in a comfortable gray skirt and white button-down blouse.
We sit to dinner. It feels like it should be awkward, but it's just collegial, with a hint of expectation in the air. The wine flows freely, but I have only a glass or two. I need to be present, fully, for this.
After dinner and dessert - Cassie knows baklava is my favorite - we retire to the living room and they sit me on the couch, one on each side of me. They each take a hand and snuggle into me.
The furniture is arranged oddly... another couch facing us straight ahead and armless chairs on the left and right.
Cassie starts, "you don't have to do anything tonight, Damian. I think it would be healthy if you just watch. Would that be okay with you?" I nod... my vocal cords don't seem to be attached to my brain at the moment.