Page 60 of Partnering with the Artist

1…2…3…4…5. More.

What do you believe to be the woman’s role in a relationship?

Blank lines.

What do you believe to be the man’s role in a relationship?

Blank lines.

“Um.” I scan more questions, glance through the pages.Learn that they aredouble-sided. And there are also fifteen of them. “Is this a quiz?”

“It occurred to me we hadn’t discussed all matters of importance where compatibility between us might be concerned. It would be deeply unfair to you if we learn something that we can’t reach a compromise on after your functioning feelings get involved. I apologize for posing these questions late. I don’t know how long it takes someone with working feelings to lose their hold on them, but I will do my best to make amends if we aren’t fundamentally compatible.”

Oh.

Wow.

That’s, um, yeah. No. This is brilliant.

I pick up my pen. “Are you going to fill one out, too? So I can see your answers?”

“I already have. We can exchange and discuss after, so your responses aren’t affected.”

Spooky. But. Smart.

All right. Let’s start at the beginning…

Children.

Absolutely not.

The very idea of growing something inside my body scares me to death.

I glance at Zakery, who has all but snuggled up against the leg of my crafting cabinet desk, nursing his coffee. There’s no way he can see my answers from down there, which is great, because I am already self conscious about them. What if he wants to be a dad? He’d be a really great dad.

Wildly considerate. Fun. Sweet. Dramatic.

I scan ahead a little bit. Do not find a question regarding adoption.

So I write it in neatly beside a circled1and a confident,Maybe?

From that point on, the questions range, significantly, in severity from:What’s your favorite food?(Chocolate cake.) to:Do you struggle with any specific mental health conditions?(I do not believe so.)

There are questions about boundaries, expectations, future goals.

Five-year plans.

Ten-year plans.

Whether or not I picture us continuing to live here, at the Bachelor manor.

Whether I want to build a home just for the two of us in Sunset.

Whether I’d prefer to leave Sunset altogether.

There’s an entire section on familial obligations.

Where do I expect us to spend Christmas? Thanksgiving? Other holidays? Will staying overnight at my parents’ ever be required? How often do I anticipate casual visits? Are there any issues I foresee arising?

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