Чужак в чужой стране

           "Therealpoint,"Samsaidquietly,"isthatwetwoarenowpartners,muchmorethanweeverwereevenatthebestperiodinouroutsidemarriage–andwegotthatwaythroughthetraining,culminatinginsharingandgrowingcloserwithotherswhohadthesametraining.Weallwindupintwosomepartnershipsinsidethelargergroup–usually,butnotnecessarily,withourownspouses-of-record.Sometimesnot?andifnot,thereadjustmenttakesplacewithnoheartacheandawarmer,closer,betterrelationshipbetweenthesoidisant‘divorced’couplethanever,bothinbedandout.Nolossandallgain.Shucks,thispairingaspartnersneedn’tevenbebetweenmanandwoman.DawnandJillforexample–theyworktogetherlikeanacrobaticteam."

           "Hmm?Isuppose,"Jubalsaidthoughtfully,"thatIhadthoughtofthosetwoasbeingMike’swives."

           "Nomoresothantheyaretoanyofus.OrthanMikeistoalltherest.Mikeistoobusy,hasbeen,Ishouldsay,untiltheTempleburned–todomorethanmakesurethathesharedhimselfallthewayaround."Samadded,"IfanybodyisMike’swife,it’sPatty,althoughshekeepssobusyherselfthattherelationismorespiritualthanphysical.Actually,youcouldsaythatbothMikeandPattyareshort-changedwhenitcomestomaulingthemattress."

           PattywasnotquiteasfarawayasRuth,butfarenough.Shelookedupandsaid,"Samdear,Idon’tfeelshort-changed."