Intimacies

– What does it feel like?
— Hmm?
– Right now.
Pause
— I’m at rest.
– Oh?
— Not moving about.
– Is it because we’re lying down?
— Not just that.
Pause
Inhale
— When I’m with you…
– You’ve been with me all day.
— Maybe it is because we’re lying down.
A soft laugh
The sound of waves
Dimness
Darkness
– This is the second time we’ve been tangled together.
— Mmm.
– How do you feel?
— I feel… safe.
– From what?
— From the weight of managing this illness in-front of others. At work, around friends…
– Mm.
— I’m sorry I never asked you.
– What, whether you could show me? Your illness?
— Yes.
– It wasn’t your choice to make.
— I know, still…
– Still feeling guilty about it?
— I suppose.
Pause
— I feel like you’ve taken on a role as my carer.
– In a way I suppose I have.
— Cam… I want you to be very careful. It can be exhausting, you can’t do it on your own.
– I’m not doing it on my own.
— Hm?
– I’m not on my own. I’ve got Evelyn, Patrick, mum, your parents, and Doctor Gerard remember.
— Yeah they’re not here though.
– Well, so far I think I’ve done alright.
— You have.
– Thank you.
Fingertips across a cheekbone, down to the lips
– Don’t you worry about me Jodi. You worry about yourself.
Pause
– Hey.
— Hm?
– This is the most I’ve heard you talk in three weeks.
Pause
— I guess it is.
– Well done.
— I guess.
– What is it?
Inhale
— You know on one hand I’m so concerned for you, for this mess that is me and what it might do to you…
– Go on.
Pause
– Say it.
Pause
– Just say it, whatever it is.
– On the other, I’m hanging on to you Camilla, like the barest of threads.
Exhale
– My beautiful angel.
Movement of bodies
Muscles, nerves, all to bring lips together
— It’s so good to have you here, I mean aware, and with me.
– Yeah. I was beginning to miss it.