Psyche's eyes drifted side to side, following her husband Eros' journey across their floor. He ran his fingers through his hair grasping the ends. He had been at it for days. He would walk to their viewing pool and look down at the mortals then back to his endless pacing. Psyche rolled her eyes. Why did he care so much for those useless ants? They hadn't shown true worship in eons. Eros bent over the pool and let out a roar.
"Eros, Darling, please come to me."
He turned to his beloved, wide-eyed and hair electrified. "Psyche I cannot be still. You do not understand."
She rose from her perch on the couch. Her body moved fluidly across the floor to the love of her life, distracting him from his plight. His eyebrows rose. Psyche embraced him. "My dear Eros," her lips brushed the underside of his chin. "Come make love to me." She whispered in his ear.
Her spell was broken at the mention of love. "Psyche," he removed her arms. "You don't understand."
"You said that already, Dearest," She huffed. "What exactly don't I understand?"
"I am a god! The god of love in fact and I have been unable to make a love connection."
"I'm trying to make a love connection with you right now." Psyche complains, her hands on her hips.
"Psyche, you were human. You are content to just be. My very purpose is to create love in the world." His eyebrows furroughed and his lips were drawn tight.
She sighed, turning from him. "So create already, Eros." She waved a hand in the air.
"That is just it! The humans are so distracted by their gadgets. Not only that! They have turned my gift into nothing more than a computer algorithm. No one has eye contact anymore. They are glued to their smartphones and tablets. They are engrossed in their mindless games. I loose arrows and they go to waste." He roared again and went back to his endless pacing. Eros abruptly turned to his consort. "Psyche, you are the goddess of the soul and spirit. How can you turn your back on humanity?"
She looked at her lover's twisted face, the sweat pouring from his temples. "I shall return." And with a flash of light she was gone.
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Psyche walked the dirty streets of the city, her nose pinched as she noticed the activity her husband had described. The people walked with their heads down, fingers moving rapidly on miniature devices. They swiftly moved between narrow spaces in the crowd, never making a human connection. Human touch was non-existant. Psyche wrapped her arms around herself and shivered at the magnitude of emptiness surrounding them. She attempted to make eye contact with men and women as they scurried by to no avail. Even the children were lost to their electronic toys.
Psyche traversed tirelessly, willing the universe to present her with someone who was not lost to love and spirit. She happened upon a park covered with lush green grass and beautiful flower adorned trees. It was nearly empty, save two people. She sat far away from them but listened to their conversation.
The woman was smiling into the face of a little boy. "Norman, I want you to come to this place in your mind when things get rough," she said in a gentle voice. "Look down at the grass, how green and full of life it is. What do you see?"
"I see green spikes."
She smiled, "They are called blades."
His eyes grew wide. "A ladybug!" Vaughn extended her finger allowing the bug to perch on it. She brought it to the boy's eye level. "Wow."
"Ladybugs are wonderful creatures. Not all are the same. The number of spots varies. Would you like to hold it, Norman." He nodded eagerly. "Stick out your finger." He complied. Her finger brushed his as the ladybug chose a new perch. "The ladybug needs you to be calm and quiet to enjoy his beauty."
"How do you know it is a boy?" Norman asked, his eyes never leaving his prize.
"I don't. I just guessed." She watched him turn his finger different ways to get a better look at the bug. Eventually, it flew away. "What else do you see?"
"Brown dirt." The boy said as he moved his face closer to the ground. "And ants."
"How does the dirt feel to the touch?" She asked in her soothing voice.
"Bumpy and cool."
"What else is there around us?"
"Trees with red flowers."
Vaughn put a hand down on the ground and pushed herself onto her feet. She reached out for Norman's hand, pulling him up. She cradled his hand as she walked closer to the tree. The soft crunch of the grass made a symphony under their feet. Reaching up, she pulled down two closed red flowers. She took one between two fingers popping the flower open. Norman thrust his hand out impatiently. She giggled and gave it to him. He popped the flower open and looked up at her in wonder. "How do you feel, Norman?"
He tilted his head. His eyebrows furrowed. He ran his hand absentmindedly up and down his arm. "Happy? Peaceful?"
"Why are the words questions and not statements?"
"Because, they don't quite fit. My heart feels like it is going to burst right out of my chest. Is that happiness?"
"That's joy." Vaughn smiled down at him. "Do you think you can go to that place when you are feeling scared in your new home?"
"I will try, Ms. Vaughn." She nodded, pleased with his answer. She walked him to the car waiting to take him to his new foster home.
Vaughn gazed down at the sweet boy who had never known peace in his seven years on this earth. "I will see you next week, yes?"
Norman smiled back. "Can we meet here again?"
Vaughn bent over, resting her hands on her knees. "Of course, we can." She waved goodbye as the car drove away.
Psyche was intrigued by this gentle woman. The woman sat down on a bench in quiet contemplation. Her hair was full of springy little coils. Her eyes were the color of cinnamon. Her legs were shapely as were her hips. Vaughn had perfect sweetheart lips; soft, pouty and kissable. Her breasts were full and round.
Psyche approached her hesitantly. "Is this seat taken?"
Vaughn graced her with the most angelic smile. "No." Vaughn took in her ancient toga and long flowing blond locks.
"I am the goddess Psyche."
"Nice to meet you, Psyche," Vaughn replied humoring the oddly dressed woman.
"You do not believe."
"It is not every day a beautiful woman approaches me and says she is a goddess."
Psyche ignored the disbelief. Her mission was urgent. "I am here to offer you a gift that will change your life."
"I already know Jesus, thank you."
"I am not speaking of religion child. I am speaking of love."
"Love? Oh if you could manage that, my mother might just worship you." Vaughn said with a giggle.
Psyche looked around the area where Vaughn was seated. "Where are your fancy gadgets?"
"Fancy gadgets?"
