Naomi's Visit
When she returned from the shopping tour, Jonathan was sitting in a deckchair on the terrace, enjoying the sun.
"How was your day, Sasha? I trust you enjoyed the city?" he inquired.
"Very much so," she replied, "I had a nice chat with a guy named Timothy at the cafe. Later I went shopping - and guess who I met!"
"I have no idea..." he said.
"Naomi! She was also shopping," Sasha told him.
Laughing he replied, "I see - that's why she wasn't at work. How did it go?"
"We checked out some clothes and then we... er... kind of had sex in the clothing room. I... er... hope you don't mind." she confessed, blushing.
"Not at all! I told you, what's mine is hers. That includes you - as far as you concur, of course." he explained.
"You like her very much, do you?"
Sasha nodded enthusiastically.
"Then why don't we invite her over tomorrow evening?"
Sasha's smile brightened. "Thank you so much. You're so kind! I'd love it."
"There's nothing to thank me for - and, by the way - there's something for me in it as well. I enjoy her company very much, too. We've been meeting occasionally for years," he smiled and wrote a message on his mobile.
-
The next day, Sasha had all day been trying to busy herself, waiting for the evening to come. She was looking forward to Naomi's arrival.
When she'd arrived, they had taken some drinks and sat on the terrace, talking.
"Sasha, we need to tell you something, that might unsettle you," said Naomi, looking at Jonathan for support.
"We are committed Truthers," Jonathan said as if this were a comprehendible statement.
"What does that mean? I never heard about it," Sasha admitted.
"I thought so," Jonathan said, "Facilitators Academy doesn't work well with outside influences - and some of our rules may even collide openly with what you were taught. This is, why we are a little concerned."
"What could be so bad about it?" Sasha mused.
"Actually - nothing," Naomi explained. "But it's different. I'll explain: Truthers have an intriguingly simple set of rules. The problem is, that people usually like them a lot, but the hard part starts, when you're truly committed and try to live by the rules all the time."
"Which rules would that be?" Sasha asked.
"There are exactly three," Jonathan replied.
"First: never lie"
"Second: never manipulate"
"Third: keep your word under all circumstances"
"You see, where this can lead to problems?" Naomi asked.
Sasha took a while before answering: "I think so, yes. But it feels like this is a logical extension of all we have achieved in making this world a better place. I want in."
Jonathan and Naomi exchanged irritated glances. "You understand? You want in?" Jonathan exclaimed.
"We had feared you'd be repelled, by the thought to be forced to always speak the truth," he continued.
"Not at all," Sasha said. "I was brought up to be a person that takes the edge off people. Truthfulness is a very good way to do so. Not always in the short run - but without question in the long one. I can see, where you felt it would be hard for me to follow this line of thinking. Parts of our training were indeed focused on manipulation designed to make people feel good. But I never liked that part in particular - and could easily live without it."
"We are deeply honored by your trust, but you can just 'be in'," Jonathan said.
"Truthers are what they are. They commit to themselves; to nobody else. You have to think about this very thoroughly - then you decide for yourself - and start living by the rules," Naomi explained.
"I understand," Sasha confirmed, "I will do as you suggest. Nonetheless, you may rest assured that I have followed these rules, despite not knowing them, from the day we first met. And I will not break them in the future."
"Naomi, please allow me one question. It might offend you - but if it weren't important for me, I wouldn't ask," Sasha inquired.
Naomi nodded, giving her the go-ahead-gesture.
"You said, that you love me. Did your rules apply to this conversation as well, despite me not being a Truther?" Sasha continued.
"Of course they did!" Naomi exclaimed. "Our rules always apply - and they do so towards everybody, Truther or not."
Sasha went silent and pensive. She swallowed and asked, "So, what you told me, was not a figure of speech, but the utter truth?" putting her hand on Naomi's.
"Of course," Naomi confirmed.
Sasha hugged her for a long time.
"Wow, you absolutely threw me out of the train here," Sasha said.
****