Maura was handed an earthenware mug of fresh aromatic coffee that she watched the doctor pour from the stainless steel press he kept on a burled walnut chest in the corner of his office.
She lowered her eyes as she inhaled, "Thank you, doctor. I feel as though I have sustained on nothing but coffee and willpower the past few days."
The doctor settled back into his seat, setting his coffee on the side table and picking up his notepad and pen.
"Dr. Isles," The psychiatrist began, "I want to reiterate that in this portion of our session, I want us to speak as people, not doctors. How do you feel about that?"
Maura sipped again at her coffee, "I feel satisfactory with this course of discussion. However, If we are going to speak as people, please call me Maura."
The psychiatrist smiled at her, "Then I am Brian." He took a sip of his own coffee, "I hope you enjoy the roast, Maura. I keep a stock of shade grown Kona. My parents still send me care packages from the district."
Maura lifted her eyes, now sparkling with information, "Oh, then you are Hawaiian. I was torn between Hawaiian and Filipino. I suppose with the darkness of your skin, Hawaiian would have been the best assumption." She took another sip, "I have been all over the world, but I can safely say that a shade grown Kona is superior to any other roast."
"Indeed it is," He commented. There was a pregnant pause, then, "So tell me why you flustered when I asked you about your willingness to allow Jane into your bed."
Maura set her cup down and faced him openly, "You came across as distasteful and unfair. There is a certain decorum and intimacy that two friends share I can only imagine a man would not understand."
"Perhaps you can shed some light on that statement." He said.
Maura smiled ironically, "Yes, perhaps I can." She took a breath, "There are those in this department who think that Jane and I are colleagues. There are those who think that we are friends. Then there are those who think that we are lovers. But, in my opinion, those are just boxes to keep words in. We are neither colleagues, friends or lovers. But then we are all three. And I can never expect anyone to truly understand what that statement means." She sipped again, feeling more confident in her musings, "I allow Jane into my bed when she needs comfort and security because I know that I am the only one in her life that knows her the way she will never allow anyone else to."
"That is an interesting hyperbole." He said.
"It is not an exaggeration. It is how we are perceived. I may be groomed, but I know what I hear." Maura tightened her body in defense.
"You hear your co-workers talk rumors?" He asked.
Again, the rueful smile, "Yes, I do. We both do. It makes her run from me, but I know she will always be back. I gave her a key for that purpose."
Brian took a look at her and jotted down his notes, "A key for what purpose?"
Maura continued her open stance, "A key to my house. Whatever the time. No matter if I know she is coming or not. There are mornings I wake and she is beside me. And I never heard her come in. It's our trust. She needs what I can give her. And I need to do everything she needs. If that makes it wrong in some sense, please explain it to me."