I was distant. Silent. Aimless. Not uncharacteristic for me, but this felt different. Something had changed.
Cynthia floated nearer, reaching a thin, pale hand toward me, eager to wrap me in her embrace yet again. But, for the first time I could ever recall, she recoiled from me. “Your soul,” she whispered, pulling her hand away. “It’s on fire.”
That was curious. Still, my response was nothing but an indifferent “Huh…”
She came closer still. I didn’t look her way, but I could feel her scanning me. She then let out a giggle, which drew my attention.
“What?” I asked.
“I think I know why.” She laughed again. “You’re in love. Well and truly in love.”
I fought back a fit of my own laughter and stared at her in full disbelief. “Love? Are you fucking serious?”
“Deadly.” She floated in front of me, locking her eyes on mine. “Not that silly schoolgirl love you’ve been grappling with for far too long. This is real, Liz. Perhaps the most tangible emotion I’ve ever felt from you. It’s… Well, quite frankly, it’s beautiful.”
I just shrugged. “Well, good to know I can still feel things like that. Sounds like solid progress to me.”