Paulette Smalls - Come and get it!

"I want to stay married to you. I always have, Val."

"I know. But there are other considerations."

"Freedom?"

"That's one of them. But it's not the only one. I had my freedom – and you had yours. I really thought that was what I wanted. Freedom. Oh, it was good for awhile, but… I don't know. Maybe freedom isn't enough."

Doug seemed thoughtful. "I know what you mean."

"What we need is both the structure of marriage, with all its responsibilities and benefits, and the freedom of being individuals – the freedom to be ourselves. That's what we need: structure and freedom."

"Sounds great. How do we find it?"

"I don't know. Maybe it doesn't exist. I don't have any of the answers I thought I would have." She stopped and thought for a moment. "Of course, there is one way. You suggested it yourself. Maybe it will work, and then, maybe it won't."

"I suggested it?" Doug asked.

"Before, when you suggested we should do this more often. Take separate vacations."

Doug shook his head. "I don't understand."

"Separate vacations," Val repeated. "Maybe we should take separate vacations… every year. Maybe we need a little freedom – a little separate, special time for ourselves, to be ourselves – whoever we may be. Maybe we need to take a little break from being married once in a while. A week or two alone to get back in touch with our feelings."

"You mean, we'll be married all year, and then, when the summer comes – we'll go our own way? Separate vacations. No questions asked."

"Sure. Why not?"

"Do you think it will work?" Doug asked.

"It might, if we try. If we try and make it, work. I'm willing to try. I want it to work."

"So do I. Very, very much."

"I hope it works."

"That's all we've got, you know."

"What?"

"Hope. That's all anybody ever has."

Val wrapped her arms tightly around Doug's chest, squeezing him with all her strength. She closed her eyes and rubbed her face up and down, smelling his sweat, feeling the soft dark hairs of his chest rubbing against her cheek.

"Doug, would you kiss me again?" she asked. "I think I want to make love again."

Doug kissed her, kissing her softly and tenderly, and he and Val made love again. And it was better than before. It was better than it had ever been in all their lives. They took that for a sign, and it gave them hope. Maybe it would work. Maybe.