Some of you have been asking about Myrtle, if she has recovered well from the emotional turmoil of her visit to her brother. I am happy to say that she has, that she has been flourishing these past few weeks. Inspired by the weekend, she has been spending a great deal of time in her studio, working with her dance piece. She has taken Darron’s advice to heart and has been calling friends and colleagues who might be willing to join her in the performance of the piece. For about a week now, she has been doing research into dance competitions, hoping to find a place to perform it.
She has been so busy, in fact, that Jaquinn commented about it this morning as she was hurrying to get to her class. “I never see you anymore, kid,” he groaned as she leaned over him to grab her socks.
“You’re the one who fell asleep last night after we were done,” she said, pausing only a moment to press a kiss to his mouth. “Suffer.”
He caught her wrist. “I gotta sleep sometime, Murry. Seriously, you didn’t get home until ten, and now you’re off again—” He looked at the clock and groaned again.
She tugged free and frowned down at him. “That’s Myrtle to you, sir.”
“You’re the one who keeps calling me Jack,” he retorted. “Suffer.”
That made her laugh, and she fell back onto the bed with him, leaning back against his chest as she pulled her socks on. “I know, I know. Sorry. I just—I have to work it out. I have to get it. It’s driving me insane.” She let her head fall back against his chest. “But I miss you too.”
He put both arms around her and kissed her temple. “You know, I’d see more of you if I didn’t have to commute to you.”
He was expecting the shiver of tension up her spine. “I’m not saying anything except we should talk about it,” he said, sitting up and sliding away to find his underwear. “But there’s more space in my apartment—you might not have to go running to the studio every time you have an idea.”
Myrtle was silent. The thought of moving in with Jaquinn had occurred to her before this, but her desire for independence has kept her from mentioning it. She enjoys having her own space, and she sees no reason that the relationship has to change.
Jaquinn got to his feet and pulled on his pants, turning to smile at her. “You think about it. I just think it’s pretty clear that I’m not going anywhere, Myrtle. And I want to be here for you all the time.” He held out his hand for her. “I’d really like it if you were here for me, too.”
Myrtle sighed and gave him her hand. “I’ll think about it,” she promised, standing up to kiss him.
He returned the kiss and nodded. “But not right now,” he said, plopping her hat onto her head. “Now you have a new idea and you have to go try it out.”
She grinned, loving him. “You really kick ass, you know that?”
“Yep,” he said, and he turned her around and gave her a playful smack. “Off you go.”
She went, only a bit more introspective than usual. An hour later, Jaquinn too left, feeling hopeful.
I intend to do what I can to encourage Myrtle to accept Jaquinn’s offer. She should understand that he has no desire to take her independence away from her—in fact, it is one of the things that he loves most about her. But to share a space with Jaquinn would mean a great deal to him, proving to him that she is just as committed to him as he is to her. Conversely, if she refuses, doubts may arise between them and tear them apart.
I cannot let that happen. They are so good for one another, and they have made such progress in the last year. I will protect that progress, and the both of them, with everything I have.