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 Lorna looked between them and then smirked. "I appreciate you both being worried about me and my marriage. I am just exploring myself and that is probably the look of someone contemplating destiny you saw." "Well, it is a big thing," Jim said, struggling to recalibrate. "You and Alex have been together for a long time, haven't you?" Lorna thought about it, "College. We were freshmen in College. Before that, I wasn't allowed to date. Or rather, people were afraid to date or flirt with me. Not after the incident." "See, college is that magical era where everyone pretends they know who they are," Arthur said, giving his drink a slow, dramatic spin like he expected it to reveal secrets. "Sure, I skipped that campus tour myself, but I did date more than a few people whose unofficial major was 'Reassure Arthur So He Never Stops Smiling.' Terrible program. No accreditation whatsoever." He softened, the performance ebbing out of his voice. "But Lorna — you’re doing something brave. You’re choosing to learn yourself." "I'm not exactly the dating expert," Jim said with staggering understatement, "but I agree. Trying to shut out that nagging voice that tells you there might be more out there because you might lose what you already have, even if that isn't perfect . . . that's a terrible feeling. Too many people shrink themselves out of complacency, or fear. But it gnaws at you." The telepath's odd-colored eyes dropped briefly to the tabletop, where his long fingers picked at an old groove in the wood. It was difficult to tell whether it was a gesture of contemplation or avoidance. Then the moment passed, and he lifted his eyes to Lorna's and smiled. "How is it going, then?" he asked. "Contemplating your destiny, I mean." She smiled at the two men. "It is okay. But since returning, I've fallen into the world of work. I mean I also got my masters and am licensed Forensic Psychologist. So I haven't really done anything to explore that side of me." Lorna took a long sip of her drink before picking up a chip. "I am a workaholic, and I really don't get out much." "Forensic psychologist? Oh, that's amazing," Arthur added. "You can analyze motives when I touch a thing and get its emotional backstory. Finally someone to compare notes on which office chairs are plotting things." Jim winced. "I wouldn't try that on any surface Warren might have touched. But just leaving the office, period, is probably a good idea if you're trying to meet people. However you do that." He traded a glance with Arthur. "Uh, how do people do that? Apps?" "I was just interested in the subject and that is an image that we can all try to avoid. Warren on any surface." Lorna shuddered at the thought. "I never got into the apps. I have a phone yes. But I have hardly any apps." She pulled out her phone to show her bare minimum phone menu, except for a few games and some self-care apps."Also, I don't think many people on those apps would be open to the idea of polyamory. They may say they do, but then change their mind when it doesn't work out." Arthur eyed the almost factory standard phone like it had personally failed him. "Well, that explains it," he said. "You’re trying to rediscover yourself with a device that has the social range of a graphing calculator." He leaned forward, elbows on the table. "You don’t have to leap straight into apps or polyamory webinars or whatever the kids are doing. Just pick one new thing that isn’t work and follow it. Low stakes, but talking to people in real life." Then he flicked a glance at Jim. "Right, David? Even destiny needs a little fieldwork." "Yeah," agreed Jim, a man who had never quite grasped the nuances of human interaction on a strictly social level. Most of his friendships happened in spite of rather than because of any effort on his part, as with Sooraya. Still, Arthur was a universal social solvent. Surely between the two of them they could come up with something for Lorna. Or Arthur could, and Jim could nod. Moral support was also a contribution. With a scuff of his hand through his hair, Jim straightened in his seat and turned his thoughts to business. "Okay," he said, trying to turn his mind to the task at hand, "let's see. Something that's not work that involves meeting people. Um . . . a book club?" "Could be a book club," Arthur agreed. "Could be gloriously horrible improv. Oooh, jam sessions. Whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be sensible." He grinned, brightening. "So, which bad idea are you starting with, Lorna?" "The bottom of this drink first. And then we shall see which horrible idea I will use from the both of you. Though spicy bookclub does sound enticing." She lifted her drink and clinked it to both of them. |
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