The Pole Dancer

Chapter 27

Her throat dries up as he waits for her verdict. A spark escapes his eyes as she says:

"The best decision for us is to go to a relationship counseling."

Nikki glances back at her, hard to believe her words. Why did he expect a different answer? Something bad.

"What..." Nikki looks up at her.

"I think it would be a suitable decision," she repeats herself. "That is if you also agree."

"I don't know why... But I was expecting a different answer."

"That I would break up with you?" She inquires, slightly surprised.

He nods, and Jenice speaks as calmly as she can, trying to keep her emotions in check because she feels she has little left and cries:

"Although I can't have clear thoughts lately... I can't think of breaking up with you. And you know why? Because I still love you," her voice drops, and she blinks quickly, a few tears fall.

There are no more words to say about anyone. They just stay still and look at each strangely.

Nikki gets up, holding her gaze, hugging her firmly, whispering lightly:

" We will succeed in this together. I'm glad you're giving our relationship another chance."

Jenice doesn't avoid his touch like before. But she is not very receptive and welcoming either.

What is important is that Jenice gives their relationship another chance.

"We are doing this for us and Sarah," adds Nikki smiling, looking at her now as she smiles slightly.

"That's right," she smiles too.

"I love you too, honey," he admits. "I really hope that tonight is the beginning of repairing our relationship."

"I hope so, too. But until we clear things up between us, we will continue to sleep separately."

"As you wish, honey."

How much Nikki wants to kiss her. Something he has been raving about for a long time. But he doesn't want to test the limits now. He has to take it slow.

What he doesn't know is that Jenice also has a burning desire to kiss him. She refrains from this and they both part, she says good night and leaving.

Maybe tonight's double date idea was a good idea after all. Not as great as he expected. It was far beyond the limit of expectations that after this evening Jenice would return to him with open arms. But he has all the strength, because there are good chances that everything will be fixed.

After three weeks...

Nikki and Jenice are now in front of the psychotherapist, a woman in her mid 30s. Jenice examines her thoroughly. She is older than both of them. She has more life experience besides the studies she did to become a psychotherapist. Both feel that they can put their trust in her.

"I analyzed your situation very carefully," the woman smiles at both of them. "It's good that he admitted to you the mistake he made. He is really sorry and wants to make things right. It's a sign that he cares about your relationship. It wasn't very good that she didn't talk to you for a while after the confession," the woman looks now at Nikki and then at Jenice. "Communication is the key in any relationship."

"I know," Jenice takes a deep breath. "I don't know what was wrong with me to isolate myself."

"Given the fact that you previously had an emotionally and physically abusive relationship for so long, I think you were afraid that you would lose your relationship with Nikki. You didn't know how to react. You have never been put in front of something like this. It was something new for you. It seems like... You and Nikki finally have a normal, healthy relationship."

"That's right," says Nikki, now looking deep into Jenice's eyes. "We both want to fight for this relationship. I have never had deeper and more real feelings for someone," Nikki takes her hand and the brunette flinches slightly, her face reddens and her breath stops for a few moments.

"If I think about it, that's true," admits Jenice, with her eyes wide on Nikki. "I was afraid that I was going to lose something precious. Something I had never experienced before."

"I felt the same," he smiles earnestly.

Nikki makes her feel butterflies in her stomach again. As he made her feel when they met for the first time in the strip club where she worked. They met in April 1987. In December 1987, Nikki almost died. That event drew them closer to each other. They have been together since March this year, when Nikki got out of rehab. It is now the end of November. Christmas is coming. It will mark a year since Nikki almost died. 1989 is approaching. Time flies so fast. And look at the two of them here. Now in an impasse.

The psychotherapist notes something on the clipboard, smiling at them. Their gestures are a good sign. A good sign. It's only the third meeting and already there has been remarkable progress for this couple in need.

"But you must be aware that Jenice has lost her trust in you," the psychotherapist tells him. "It will be hard for you to prove it to her again. We will have a long way to go together.

"I will do everything in my power to succeed in this," says Nikki, looking at Jenice, the brunette blushing harder, awakening such a pleasurable sense in her.