It’s your first date. There is the sunset and the place glowed a mysterious red.

It’s your first date. There is the sunset and the place glowed a mysterious red. You went out with the intention of exploring your curiosity and discovering yourself in that way. And then you fell in love. But, you know, it’s complicated.

Perhaps you wish to be able to share your passions. Perhaps you want to connect on a deeper level with this person. Perhaps you want to be able to truly express yourself and your true self.

Whatever the case, you can’t hide from love.

You can’t pretend to be someone you’re not. You can’t be fake and fake it. You can’t play games. You can’t be a cheat.

We all want to be able to love and be loved.

And that is the heart of the matter. We want to feel love and connection. We want to be valued and respected and cared for.

And you have to give it. You have to take it. You have to surrender. You have to be vulnerable and be authentic and be yourself.

The worst thing that could happen is if you let a person into your life that you’re not sure that you’re ready for. The worst thing that could happen is if you treat love as a game or a trade off. The worst thing that could happen is if you let your heart get broken. The worst thing that could happen is if you close yourself off from being loved and connected to another human being. The worst thing that could happen is if you let your potential go to waste.

The greatest thing that could happen is if you put yourself out there.

As the sun set, the desert wasteland glowed an eerie red.
The streets were deserted as Tessa and Lise sat on the steps of their house and watched the city.

“It’s so quiet.

What do you think is going to happen tomorrow?” asked Lise.

“I don’t know.

What do you think?” asked Tessa.

“I think we have a lot of hard work ahead of us.

I don’t know if I can do it,” said Lise.

“I know you can.

I have faith in you.

We can do this.”

“I know you can.

You are a strong, brave girl.

We are going to figure this out,” said Tessa.

“What if we don’t succeed?” asked Lise.

“We won’t.

We won’t fail.

We will make this work,” said Tessa.

“What if it is dangerous?” asked Lise.

“I’m not going to let it be dangerous.

We are in danger already,” said Tessa.

Lise smiled.

“Okay.

I’ll be brave.”

The next day, Tessa stood in the kitchen with Nolen.

He had made breakfast for them.

“This is good,” said Lise as she ate.

“Thank you.

This is how I make it,” said Nolen.

“That’s the best I’ve ever had.

It is a shame to cook it myself.”

“So you say.

I’m just glad I can make something you enjoy,” said Nolen.

“You could try this without the butter, it’s just as good.

You don’t need it,” said Tessa.

“I thought you said you can’t use butter.”

“I said I can’t use real butter.

My housekeeper wouldn’t have understood that.”

“She wouldn’t have understood that?” asked Nolen.

“I like the way you think,” said Tessa.

Nolen smiled.

“I thought you were a vegetarian.”

“I am,” said Tessa.

“I don’t eat eggs, pork, or beef.”

“I see.

But you eat fish.

Is it fish you eat?” asked Nolen.

“No,” said Tessa.

“I like wild caught salmon.”

“Ah,” said Nolen.

“I see.

So, you are not a vegetarian.”

“No, not at all,” said Tessa.

“You are a carnivore then.

It’s different, but I understand.

Don’t tell me you are a fish-eater.”

“You think I don’t know I’m a carnivore?” asked Tessa.

“I think you think you are a vegetarian.

But you eat meat.”

“I eat meat sometimes,” said Tessa.

“I can’t help it.”

“I’m not judging you.”