Couples Counseling

(continued)

By Margaret Karmazin

The Counselor raised a hand. "I think you need to remember, Alena, that the work Bern does is as important to him and deserves as much respect as does the work you do."

Alena did not comment.

"You see?" said Bern, "That's the exact issue. You've got it distilled down to its very essence. She doesn't respect my work."

The Counselor turned his penetrating eyes upon Alena. "Is that true, Alena? Do you feel that you do not respect Bern's work?"

There was an uncomfortable silence while Alena examined her hands.

"Alena?" prompted the Counselor.

She swiveled her elegant head on its long neck as if she were trying out all the directions in which it could move. Finally she answered, "Well, I guess it's important, but I don't really feel that messing around with inferior life forms quite rates up there with terraforming and weather maintenance. It's like comparing someone's pets to a mountain range."

Bern drew in a sharp breath. He was so agitated that he had trouble getting his thoughts out. "Why, you... you self-centered... infantile... high-handed —"

The Counselor interrupted. "Bern, try to pull yourself together. Remember, that ego is what creates interpersonal problems. Remember that our goal as any sentient species is to grow completely beyond it. If you can learn to ignore the mad ramblings of your ego, what Alena says will have no effect on you. Her lack of appreciation for what you do does not really matter. Your work exists and continues whether she exists or not, let alone whether she approves of it."

"I'm sorry, Counselor," Bern snapped, "but clearly she sees me as impotent in my professional and creative aspects, and that is certain to affect our personal interactions, both emotionally and physically!"

The Counselor's luminous eyes registered subtle surprise. "You mean to tell me that the two of you still engage in physical display?"

Bern's face flushed an alarming color. "Occasionally. Is that considered degenerate in some way? I've been away from home for so long that I'm no longer in touch with contemporary mores."

Alena snickered.

The Counselor replied, "I did not mean to imply that physical relations between partners is debased in any way. I was merely expressing surprise that a couple of your age and long connection should still be so engaged. It is more common for partners in your circumstances to either have given up physical expression altogether, or to exclusively use outside outlets. I'm not here to judge you."

"I don't think we actually need outside outlets," Bern said rather uncertainly.

He sank back into the sofa, while Alena perked up.

"You have something to say?" prompted the Counselor.

"Um, I think Bern might be assuming I don't have other occasional outlets."

Bern shot her a look.

"You have other outlets for your physical expression?" asked the Counselor in his soft monotone.

"Of course! Someone doesn't live with the same being for millennia without wanting to sample some other dishes! Besides, one grows weary on occasion and not just of one's same partner, but of one's own species. I would think that was open-and-shut."

Bern appeared to be shrinking in size and was fast assuming the appearance of a wounded adolescent. "Damn you," he said under his breath. "So why don't you just come out with it and list all the other species you've been trafficking with!"

Alena tossed her shaggy hair. She appeared to be serious and exasperated, but the change in color of the sides of her neck was a giveaway that she was enjoying herself.

"There was that visiting Clegboparian. You remember, don't you, Bern? I believe it was at the Observation Visit before last. We had a go. And —"