“You have me,” she replied softly. “And other friends.”
Smiling at her, I touched her hand where it rested along the back of the couch. “I do. I’m so glad you’re my friend.” My eyes stung and I blinked rapidly, wondering why I suddenly felt like crying. “I guess I just mean I’m lonely for…male companionship.”
Ava chuckled. “You mean sex?” she asked before sipping her wine.
“That’s part of it, yes. But there’s more. I just want someone,” I paused. “A man, here. I want someone to share my life with. You are wonderful and I love you, but I want my other half. I need him.” I sighed again, sinking deeper into the maudlin mood that had come over me. “I know it’s not very modern or feminist of me, but I want someone to love and who loves me in return. I want weeknight dinners, bickering, and Sunday mornings in bed.”
“It sounds like you want an ordinary relationship, the kind that millions of people have,” Ava pointed out.
“Don’t you see?” I asked her. “With the right person, ordinary becomes extraordinary. Vital and necessary.”
Ava responded, but I could barely hear her. My head bobbed forward and I jerked it up. She laughed. “I think you’ve had a little too much wine,” she stated, reaching out to take my glass from me. “Let’s get you to bed.”
I let her help me to my feet and lead me back to my bedroom. “I want my extraordinary normal,” I murmured.
“I know, sweetie,” Ava whispered. “I want that for you too.”
