Fair Haired Interrogation

Third Interlude

Previous Chapter: Practice Makes Perfect

Tessa and I walk back from our sparring. She really gave me a good workout. I learn something every time we spar together, but never seem to get any closer to her level.

Tessa starts, “You know, she talked about you non-stop the first few days after she got back.”

“She” is always Isabel.

“Hmm?”

“She was disappointed you only had the one afternoon together, she wanted more.”

I say, “Well, we did spend a lot of time together, but the sex was quite limited. Particularly in comparison to last time.”

“What did you talk about? Anything intimate?”

“Some.”

After I pause, she looks at me and rolls her eyes.

“Are we going to do this one word at a time?”

“You ask the questions, I’ll answer them.”

It seems I get this interrogation every time we’re together. Sometimes it frustrates me, but I’ve grown attached to our visits, so don’t want to say anything that might upset her.

“Did she mention my movie references?”

“Yes, and we discussed them. We agreed we’ve evolved beyond lust, but not what that means. We concluded we’re sociopaths, enjoy being together and have careers that are totally incompatible.”

She sighs, looking down while we walk.

“I don’t get you two. She clearly wants to be with you, yet the most I can get her to admit is she thinks about you from time to time. It’s a lot more than ‘from time to time,’ based on how often her eyes lose focus.”

“I think about her, more than ‘from time to time,’ but what is there for us? She loves her job, I love mine, and never the twain shall meet.”

Tessa gives a sigh and we walk in silence back to our cabin.

Occasionally, over the rest of our visit, she’ll suddenly look up, studying me. A couple of times, she inhales as if to speak, but then shakes her head or discusses something about a movie. I can tell she isn’t satisfied with my responses, but I don’t know what to add that will make her happy.