The Brutal Truth

by Lee Winter

“You surely don’t need my approval anymore, do you? You have to know by now. From others. It’s not just me saying it.”

“That’s true, but it’s just that your opinion means a lot to me. I think sometimes I really need to hear the words from you.”

“I appreciate beauty in the world more than anything else, Madeleine.” She looked her in the eye. “And all I ever want to be is with you. Doesn’t that tell you something?”

“I used to think I had all the answers,” Elena said slowly. “Before I met you, I used to think I was so brutally honest. I wielded the truth like a weapon. Now I see that the truest thing I know is all the lies we tell ourselves. It’s terrifying—like seeing tiny cracks in a glass window, everywhere

I look. Now, I don’t trust myself anymore. I’ve lost faith in my own perception. My world view is forever shattered.”

But I know this: when I look at you, you’re all I want to look at. I know that when we’re together, I don’t want to leave. But I don’t know if I can trust what these feelings mean. Do you understand? It feels like…my foundations are cracked.”

“It’s nothing. I just realised how much I was looking forward to you being here. That’s never happened before. I used to find having anyone around me at home stressful.”

Elena stretched out beside Maddie then curled herself around her.

Maddie studied her serene face, still amazed she was allowed to see her like this. She slipped her fingers through her dark hair. “No, thanks. Not when you’re in my arms like this. Where’s the incentive to let go?”

“You could do your story from here tomorrow, too. Or longer if you wanted.” Elena hesitated. “There’s a spare study upstairs that’s just gathering dust, so you wouldn’t have to compete with Oscar on the sofa for real estate. And a guest room next to it if you just needed to have some time out. Or my room if you prefer. Stay as long as you like. Besides, I also have it from a reliable source that Sydney Harbour views are good for writing.” Maddie paused. Did she just…? She searched Elena’s face, her heart starting to race. “Elena? I’m sorry if I’m reading this all wrong, but are you asking me to move in?” “That depends.” “On?” “Whether you’ll say yes.” Elena fiddled with her blouse sleeve. “I know you have your own life, and you probably don’t want to give up your independence. I’m sure you like that Simon can

just drop over whenever he wants now. I know he’s important to you. Friends should be. But that wouldn’t have to change. I think I’d very much like to share my life with someone I… Someone I respect, who challenges me, who I care about, appreciate, and who I can’t seem to tolerate not being near. So, if you feel the same way…”

Elena didn’t ask. She was too busy kissing her. Maddie had no complaints.

“Madeleine, I plan to keep you in my life for as long as I am able. And then longer still.” She curled her fingers around Maddie’s cheek.

Elena ignored her employees and tugged Maddie’s hand, pulling her back to her side. She caught Maddie’s gaze. “Before you get engrossed in those two and I get swept up talking to the bland men in suits, I just want you to know something,” she said, her voice pitched low. Elena leaned in, her lips against her ear. “You will be fantastic tonight. Your writing is entertaining, observant, and colourful, just like you. Believe me when I say you’ll own that room. And I love you. With everything I am. Believe that too.”

“As do I. After all, I may have mentioned once or twice that I prefer the truth in all matters.”

Without warning, Elena pulled Maddie to her, kissed her thoroughly, and held her with a possessiveness that told anyone watching who Maddie belonged to. And whom Elena loved. Warmth swamped Maddie, and she clung to her.