Dog and cat

They left the swing for a walk through the garden, but their discussion was not interrupted.

-You know, my sweet, I don't think I'll ever get tired of this story. And every time it gets tastier.

The woman laughed and said:

-Flattery must have opened many doors for you in your life.

He replied, teasingly:

-They have opened the doors of your heart to me, haven't they?

Tipping her head back, she burst out in a frank laugh.

-You are far from the account my dear. It's your vulnerability that touched me at first sight, to tell the truth.

He arched an eyebrow.

-How so ?

-Do you remember that day? The day you came to your senses and told me how you had found yourself in this embarrassing situation. You told me that you were devastated by the fact that the one you considered to be the love of your life had left you, and that you had gotten so drunk that you lost all sense of right and wrong. However, you had not achieved your goal, you had not managed to forget what you were so sad about. At that moment, reflection and logic did not mix well in you. At that moment, you knew that the pain of a wounded body was nothing compared to the pain of a broken heart. A common phrase kept coming into your head: "You have to fight fire with fire". Not having been able to escape from your emotional pain, you confessed to me that you wanted to physically hurt yourself. I understood then that the wounds on your body were not the result of an aggression, but your own work. My heart sank at the end of your story. You seemed like a good man, such a kind man. At that moment, I didn't care that I didn't know you, all I wanted to do at that moment was to comfort you and give you back a taste for life, by infiltrating in your side as a friend. It's always easier to confide in a stranger. You seemed so vulnerable, completely helpless.

In a burst of tenderness, the man stopped for a moment, encouraging his partner to stop too. Then, he embraced lightly his sweet and deposited a kiss on the top of his head.

-This anecdote does not make me see under my most virile day, my sweet.

-Manliness, what is it exactly, for you? Being a thick brute devoid of feelings and emotions? Just because you're a man, doesn't mean you can't feel pain, express your pain.

-Don't be too hard on me, Tiana. Your dazzling beauty makes me ramble.

-Flattery loses all its charm and authenticity when it is exaggerated.

Your laughter is as pure as crystal, the best melody to my ears.

-Stop now, it's almost embarrassing.

-That little smile in the corner of your lips betrays your true feelings about my cajoling. You actually like it.

-Well, maybe a little. But seriously, stop it, it's dripping with such mawkishness!

-You like it better when it's something else that's dripping, right?

She blushes violently at the implication.

-That sublime blush on your cheeks betrays your thoughts, my sweet. What did you think I was referring to? My little pervert. I was talking about the honey on your famous banana pancakes.

She punched him lightly on the shoulder, laughing.

-Of course. And I'm the Queen of England.

-No, you're the queen of my heart.

-I'm going to get a lot of carries from listening to your mushy sentences.

They laughed together and resumed their walk.

-Speaking of marshmallows, do you remember that day? The day I was finally allowed to leave the hospital. You brought me breakfast with a smile on your face. You had good news for me. I was finally going to be able to go out and pick up my life where I left it. You were drinking your hot chocolate with pieces of marshmallow, when all of a sudden, you spit it all back in my face. I was stunned and panicked. I didn't die from the beating, but I almost passed out from first degree burns. She rolled her eyes.

-There, it is you who exaggerate.

For any answer, he resumed the word by taking well care to imitate his sweet in a completely caricatural way:

- Would it be too much to ask you to let me tell it quietly? You are disturbing my inspiration.

Then he started to run, persuaded that she was going to pursue him to give him the correction which he deserved. And they ran happily, through the beautiful flowerbeds; orchids, geraniums, hibiscus and many others. When they ran out of breath, they dropped to the grass, totally tired but happy. They lay down , their eyes immersed in the clouds.

-It's funny how these clouds look like marshmallows.

-Thank you, my dear, this is the perfect transition for me to resume my little anecdote.

-Go ahead, if you really want to.

-Where was I before you interrupted me abruptly and unexpectedly. Oh yes, I remember. You had emptied all the contents of your mouth on my pretty face. The reason? Quite simple. I had simply told you that I was going to pay back everything you had paid to take care of me, down to the last penny. You looked totally stunned, simply amazed by my proposal. It seemed completely absurd to you, and the indignant expression on your face alone showed your deep disapproval. I was torn between two feelings: on the one hand, admiration for your greatness of soul and your boundless generosity; on the other hand, a feeling of deep unease, because I could not accept such an act from you, given our situation. The word is a bit crude but we were still only two strangers to each other, despite everything. Besides, I was the kind of person who wanted to avoid feeling indebted to anyone at all costs, no matter how complex my situation was. However, I had to bend to your will, you were so stubborn, so obstinate.

-You know, my dear, sometimes you have to put your pride aside and accept the helping hand that is extended to you without begrudging.

-I know, my sweet. It's an idea you've ingrained in me over the years.

-Now let's go get some of my famous banana pancakes.

-That's the best idea I've heard all day.

And they walked home, hand in hand.