Chapter 11

The view over the nearby plains and Methven from the high perch of Mt Hutt was inspiring, and the duo drank it in with little conversation beyond pleasantries while they ate. The leftover food packed away, the pair sat quietly, each waiting for the other to resume the conversation. Finally, Roy broke the silence.

“We’ve both admitted there is some attraction between us, and that we don’t have a clue where it’s going, if anywhere. I’m comfortable with that ... I think. Though I find living in limbo a strange place.”

“Me neither. Since I left home it’s been my style to always have a goal. Then I set my sights and do everything to achieve it. So this feels weird for me, too.”

“I suggest, then, that we relax and just enjoy meandering. We may well find unexpected sights or experiences along the way.”

“If the human body can stand it,” Sonia joked. “Any suggestions where we go from here?”

“Well, there are some basics. There’s still a lot we don’t know about each other. Seeing you only partly filled in the participants form at the ‘marriage mart’, perhaps we can start there.”

“Mmmm, okay,” Sonia agreed.

“There’s obvious things like smoking, drinking, party-going, music tastes.”

“No; occasionally; only under duress; and anything that has a tune and good words – in that order.”

“You go to parties only under duress? I thought party-going was a default setting for those in the media.”

“Not everybody. You’d be surprised how many introverts work in the media. They come across as extraverted, but that’s a front. They can work a crowd, but one-on-one they back away.”

“You don’t come across as an introvert, otherwise how would we be in this place this weekend?”

“I’m probably what’s becoming known as an ambivert – I straddle both worlds. I go to parties because my job calls for it, but I hate the egotism of the loud-mouths and leave as quickly as I can. I far prefer good conversation with a small group of friends.”

“I can relate. Thankfully I seldom get invited to big functions, and mostly turn those invites down unless it’s going to help the business. But let’s not talk about work. If you’re in the mood to try the hard bits – counsellors talk about three things that relationships commonly fall apart over: money, sex and children.”

“And I would add a fourth – faith, or if you prefer, spirituality,” Sonia said.

“Fair enough. Actually, I’d probably add another: life goals.”

“Well, that lot should keep us going the rest of the afternoon.”

“Yep – except that we’d better make sure we give ourselves time to get down the mountain before dusk. We’ve got the rest of the weekend to continue the discussion.”

Sonia pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. “Okay. Money first?”

“Sure,” said Roy. “I’m probably a bit old-school on this. I’ve always believed in working hard, living within my means, investing steadily, and being generous where I can. I’ve done okay financially—but I’ve seen money destroy people, too. So I guess I’d say I value financial responsibility, but not worshipping it.”

Sonia nodded. “I grew up in a pretty comfortable world. With Dad being a university professor, we lived well, without ever really talking about money. I never had to think much about it. But once I graduated and started working, I got a reality check. At first, I spent like I still had a safety net ... which I didn’t. It took me a while to learn how to budget and be intentional with what I had.”

“So you’ve had the best of both worlds—privilege and perspective.”

“Something like that,” she said. “Now I try to balance it out—give some, save some, enjoy some. I don’t want to be owned by money, but I want to be smart with it.”

Sonia glanced sideways at Roy. “Shall we keep going?”

“Why not? Your turn to pick the next topic.”

She hesitated, then said with a crooked smile, “Well ... sex?”

Roy gave a low chuckle. “You don’t ease into things, do you?”

“I thought we were being genuine.”

“Fair enough. I suppose I’m a bit of a paradox there. I’ve always believed sex belongs in the context of real commitment—marriage, ideally. Not because of some puritanical hang-up, but because I’ve seen the emotional fallout when people treat it casually. That said ... I’m not a saint. I’ve had a couple of relationships that went that way. Neither ended well. Since then, I’ve been more careful. More ... reserved, I guess.”

Sonia nodded slowly. “I hear you. I’ve never been promiscuous, despite the stereotypes people have about media women. I’ve had a few relationships, two serious ones. I thought the second was heading for commitment, but it wasn’t. He moved on and I was left ... not broken, but bruised. I’m a lot more cautious now. I want the next time to mean something. To be part of something solid.”

“I can respect that.”

There was a moment of quiet between them, not uncomfortable.

Sonia shifted her position slightly. “Okay ... children?”

Roy leaned back, hands behind his head. “I used to assume I’d have a family one day. I like kids. Still do. But I suppose I’ve reached a stage where I’m not sure. The idea still appeals—raising a child, helping shape a little life. But I wouldn’t do it lightly. It would need to be with someone who’s on the same page, and ready for the long haul. What about you?”