“You can’t change what was, but you can change what is yet to be. That’s why you came to Athena’s Ground.” Russell stood and offered Tessa his hand. When she rose, he pulled her into a gentle hug. “Let’s get going. We’ve got some work to do.”
-29-
Their next stop was for a light lunch. While they waited for sandwiches, Russell slid a piece of paper and pen across the table to Tessa.
“When we were at the club last night, I asked you to tell me what things you saw that you’d like to try, or at least explore. You mentioned several things, and we did the first one on your list in the wee hours of the morning.”
“Along with a little something extra you convinced me to try.”
Russell grinned. “Admit it, it rocked your world.”
“Admission made. And don’t even think about trying to take away my little friend with training wheels. I’ve recently been taught to put an asshole on his ass and I’m not afraid to do it.”
“Wow. We’ve got you using naughty words and sex toys. Our work here is done. Almost.” Russell smiled. “The paper,” he said, pointing to paper he’d slid to Tessa, “write down the things you saw at the club, the things you mentioned to me last night. But Tessa, only put down the things you seriously want to know more about.”
“If I write it, you’ll do it?” Tessa said, arching her brow.
“Something like that.”
Tessa grabbed the pen, but hesitated. “Um, you asked me to include things I saw at the club. Can I only include those things?”
Russell’s eyes sparkled and he seemed to be amused. “You’ve thought of something else?”
Tessa nodded.
“Well, sure, put it on the list. We’ll see what we can do.”
They ate in silence while Tessa wrote. Twice she scribbled things out and started over. When she finished, she looked her list over and said, “I don’t know that I want to do all of this, but I want to know about it, understand it.” She slid the paper across to Russell. “Am I a sick-o?”
“The only sick things are things that cause injury to the body or spirit.” He glanced at her list. “I think we can do all of these things without ending up in hospital. Though I’m not sure about this last one…”
Tessa looked horror stricken. Before she could become hysterical, Russell reached across the table and patted her hand.
“Just a little joke, to lighten you up. There’s nothing horrible about what you want to experience, or investigate. You’re not being judged. You’re not being graded. You’re the boss of you! Opening horizons is like opening presents: some of them will be cherished and used, time and again. Others may never come out of the box again. All of them give you better insight into what you like, and what you don’t.” He grinned and slipped the list into his pocket. “Finish up. We’ve got some present shopping to do.”
The first stop was a store called Laces & Ties. Tessa stood on the sidewalk, imagining lace-laden dresses and fine men’s ties, until Russell opened the door and nudged her inside.
“Russell, how good to see you!”
The voice came from a very short woman wearing a very short dress and very long earrings.