It’s a hard world if you can’t go back.”“Yes, it is,” Steven answered. “Is there another way to go? A path around the lake, perhaps?”“...Well, now that you ask,” grumbled the woodcutter, “I suppose Rayna would have my beard if I didn’t take you on. Come with me.” The little man led Steven off the path and on the other side of the bushes Steven saw a small boat anchored just out of sight from the end of the path.“The water is too cold to pull a raft across,” Steven said.“I’ve no intention of. Nothing felt better, however, than this. He could never hurt her, she was his wife and lover – all in one. She was his. *** Later, after they had spent themselves against the front of the bed, they lay in the bed, she asleep in Jay’s arms. He moved slightly, turning towards the nightstand and picked up something, something long and light. Turning back to his lover, he moved the feather down her arm slowly, lightly. After a minute or so, she moved in her sleep, murmuring. He only smiled and. Her eyes were so intent and hopeful and open in the words she spoke. I felt her breath on my lips she was so close. She wanted understanding, acceptance, right then and there. I looked at her and smiled, returning her unfeigned openness. I nodded. “Yes. I understand. Go on, please go on.” “She looked down for a moment. “I love men, but I‘m particularly drawn to black men“ she said, with a wistful look in her eye. She held my hand between hers suddenly, passionately, “For. We’d all met in university and though I got with Lisa a couple of years ago we still all hang out a lot. Today, he was coming over to help me put some new furniture together and later to have dinner with us. Not a big deal at all, but I did want to be dressed. “Well we’ll see what we can do about that.” Lisa walked over to her drawers and rummaged around for a while. “How about some of mine?” “Yeah right, why don’t I just wear one of your dresses too?” I laughed and went to sit on the bed,.