Gwen & Art Are Not in Love

by Lex Croucher

“Nobody else is ever going to care as much as you do about the things that you want, Gwendoline. So it’s up to you—you can put them aside forever, if you can live with that, or you can put on your big-girl girdle and demand more for yourself.”

“I recall you had no trouble renaming my cat…” “That’s because your cat has a stupid Arthurian name.” “Good point,” Gabriel said, looking up at him and raising an eyebrow, “Arthur.” “Well, I didn’t name myself, did I?”

Arthur opened his hands and the bird righted herself indignantly, then dropped down onto the floor to gather herself. “Thank you. You were good at that—just the right sort of grip.” “That’s what they all say,”

“I’m going to bed. Suggest you do the same, instead of staring dramatically out of the window like you’re in a poem.”

“Shut up,” Gwen said, surprising both of them. “I’m going to kiss you.” “All right,” Bridget said. “Carry on, then.”

“It’s not a dream,” Gwen said. “Trust me. In the dream, you’re always on a unicorn.”

“Now hang on,” said Arthur. “I’m a man, and my crotch isn’t a burden.” “Maybe not to you,” said Gwen. “But it’s a burden on the rest of humanity.”

“That’s a very nice dress,” Arthur said, knowing he was pushing his luck. “You’re pushing your luck,” Bridget said, looking murderous as she sat down.

“To be truly brave, first you must be afraid—and to be afraid, you must have something you cannot bear to lose.”