The Joy of Loving Dru

Nothing felt the same to Willow after spending time with Dru the day after Thanksgiving. She'd met Dru at a book club meeting one Friday evening in the summer of 2007. They chatted a bit, but nothing significant for a long time. Willow spent most of her time talking to the other members about the books, while Dru sat at the table with a knitting project.

Willow would find herself being annoyed by this, but she enjoyed Dru's presence. She couldn't quite put her finger on why. To her, she and Dru seemed worlds a part...absolutely nothing in common other than the fact they enjoyed reading books. Dru seemed emotionally detached to Willow, who was at one time emotionally detached, but healed into this touchy-feely type of woman giving hugs and encouraging words to everyone, whether she knew them or not. She found Dru intriguing to say the least.

Their differences actually inspired Willow through her artwork. Willow - the butterfly moving towards transformation and Dru - the dragonfly searching for balance in a private world perhaps with plenty of uncertainty - they were the classic yin and yang.

Early 2008, the book club meetings dissipated shortly after Willow's announcement of taking a break from the group. However, she wanted to continue seeing Dru. But she didn't know how to say this to her.

One Sunday afternoon, after talking over coffee, Willow blurted out, "I would like to spend more time with you." She took leave from her own body for a moment after she said it. Ok, what was that all about, she thought.

"Sure, that's not a problem," Dru responded.

Willow wanted to smile, but didn't allow herself to do it. Something was shifting in this situation for Willow. She encouraged her heart to slow down and just go with the flow. I don't want to get my heart broken again. Just slow down, Willow, she thought.

They started meeting more frequently for coffee on Sundays. One evening about three weeks before Thanksgiving, Willow was having her usual meditation and prayer time.

"God, Michael, whoever is listening at this very moment. Please allow me to spend the holiday with someone special. You know I don't have a family anymore. Well, not in the emotional sense anyway. Thanks. And so it is!" With her hands in prayer position at her heart center, she bowed her head with a few tears falling from her eyes to the floor. No other person knew of this private prayer.

Willow e-mailed Dru a few days later just talking about whatever and mentioned something about the holidays. Dru wrote back with this idea of getting together the day after Thanksgiving possibly at her place. Willow read the e-mail and cried. I hope she's not treating me like a charity case, Willow thought. No, I don't think she's that kind of person. I should go. She responded with a resounding yes. Willow didn't know what to expect. After all, it was just another day hanging out with a friend, right?

* * *

"I haven't done anything like this since back in the day with my mom," Willow's voice shivered.

Looking up from her sugar cookie dough, Dru said, "I hope you're enjoying yourself."

"Yes, I am. I feel like I'm gonna cry."

"Please don't cry," Dru pleaded.

"I'm okay," Willow held the tears back and sat back down after putting wax paper over a layer of frosted sugar cookies in a Tupperware container. She continued frosting another stack Dru sat on the table.

They talked about everything, nothing, and many things in between - baking, cookies, vegetarianism, weight control, love life, family memories, and a host of other things. With each word spoken between the two of them, Willow felt her heart opening slowly like a lotus blossom up from muddy waters. She breathed in every word that floated from Dru's mouth. She paid attention to her. Dru's presence was always one that made Willow feel safe - like there was absolutely nothing to worry about.

After dinner, they spent a few hours playing UNO and Phase 10 - Dru beat Willow like she stole something. (Willow talked a lot of mess in her previous e-mails about her UNO skills, none of which were displayed that evening.)

Almost nine hours after Willow arrived; she realized it was time to go home. As she drove home, her mind kept replaying certain parts of their conversation. Dru's face - very light, dark eyes, dark hair, but the light was inside of her. Willow could see her light. And it drew her in. Willow pondered this woman she'd just spent the entire afternoon and evening with. She pondered the feelings that were stirring up within her.

Should she say something to this woman? A woman who had said she wasn't interested in women when she and Willow first met. How do you control love? Willow felt a pool of love widening in her soul. The sparks started shooting all about as she walked into her apartment, plopping down on the sofa. But I don't want to get my heart broken, Willow thought.

However, Willow couldn't deny the obvious new feeling coming up. She never thought she'd feel this way about Dru. She couldn't bare the thought of losing her friendship, if she decided to reveal how she felt.

In the meantime, she committed her soul to just bathing in the joy of loving Dru, even if she had to do it in silence.