Love, Scandal, and Deceit

Prologue Reading Rayne “I just don’t know where I lost control in this? Everything was written out in black and white; I’m just doing me! Nobody is on that, you are the only one for me bull shit!” Rayne fell back and laid across her friend Daphne’s chaise lounge in her over crowded office space. Daphne Jones was a drug counselor at the Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Center for adults. She reluctantly was Rayne’s therapist for the hour before her next client. Daphne and Rayne had been friends from high school, through college, and now their careers. Rayne was at the top of her game; a Child Psychologist at one of the top psychiatric hospitals in Missouri. Even though their positions were similar, each held a different rank. They both were passionate about what they did. For the past forty five minutes Rayne laid on her stomach with her arm dangling to the floor. Rayne began picking at her brain; back tracking, trying to make some sense of her life. “All I ever wanted was to love and be loved. I split all my time up amongst them. I open up to each of my partners on a personal level. I keep it real, and I don’t hide one relationship from the next. I break down the small details from the beginning so no one gets hurt. We are supposed to be one life partner gang.” Rayne had an expression of deep confusion while she looked to Daphne for answers. Daphne thought all of what she was saying was a crock of shit. But she took notes, not for one minute making any eye contact with Rayne. “I told you from the start this lifestyle isn’t for everyone,” finally breaking the silence between the two. “You have to be mentally ready to commit to something of this nature, Daphne began to explain. In this circle of what you call a life partnership; every relationship is different. You have to cater to everyone specifically. Take a spades game for instance. If you don’t follow your partner or at least keep a careful watch, things will end in destruction. You have to be able to fulfill the needs of your Life Partners accordingly. Even though in any relationship, there are limits and boundaries. It’s all about being open, honest, and loyal. Who do you bring in? Who can you trust? Honestly…this could never work. Like with money, there is greed. In lust there is no difference. Eventually, someone is going to be hurt. Your time will never be enough, and neither will theirs. In this game you are the puppet master. Everyone moves to your beat. But in this life there are no strings. Realistically, you can’t control mankind. Predictions are only accurate when things are manmade.” Daphne always gave it to Rayne straight, so she knew that she could come to her when it came to making sense of these types of problems. “I just want to be like Geppetto without the Pinocchio,” Rayne said sarcastically. “Well damn it, I’m going to be your Jiminy Cricket. I’m going to help you let your conscience be your guide,” Daphne hurried her off so she could prepare for her client.