The Head Voice won.

She sat over in the corner gloating after it was done. "I was right all along," she says proudly. "And I knew if you made that call, that would be the very thing that proved me correct."

At first, she fought the Heart Voice, who insisted on making the call. "We'll get the truth this way," the Heart Voice protested.

"Oh no," said the Head Voice, "we'll get absolutely nothing from it, because Trouble doesn't like to explain himself. He runs away when asked directly."

But then the Head Voice stopped suddenly and sat back, a gleam of wisdom in her eye. She thought for a moment, lit a cigarette and blew smoke out over the balcony rail. Then nodded.

"Go ahead," she encouraged, "make the call. I think it's the right thing to do." Then she smiled a little half-smile to herself.

Humming happily, the Heart Voice dialed. And got voice mail.

"Hello! I need to know what the heck is going on, because when it comes to guessing games, I always lose!" She hung up after leaving the message, and clasped her hands together.

"There!" Heart Voice sighed. "We'll have our answer soon."

Head Voice just nodded as she muttered under her breath: "Yes, we'll have our answer soon - though I already know what the answer will be."

Head Voice is so smart - and Heart Voice is just smarting now.

Trouble ran, oh yes he did. Ran like the hounds were chasing him, and hid away under the porch again.

While Heart Voice watched with her jaw dropped, and Head Voice cheered the imaginary hounds in their pursuit.

But that's life, isn't it? Sigh.

And the lesson (there's always one, you know)?

Pay more attention to Head Voice, and when Heart Voice starts talking, slap some duct tape on her mouth to shut her up.

Heart Voice was a little ashamed after it was done, hiding under her favorite purple blanket, sobbing softly so (she thought) we wouldn't hear. Head Voice finally came out of the corner to console her, pulling back the blanket and removing the duct tape ever so gently.

"Look, Heart Voice," she said, stroking her friend's hair tenderly, "you took a chance. You were a brave little Heart, and that's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm quite proud of you, actually, because you always manage to have hope where I have none. I wouldn't be much good without you by my side."

"Really?" asked Heart Voice, her face brightening. "You need me after all?"

"Absolutely!" smiled Head Voice. "You're the part that really makes Girlie human. My job is just to help her see reality now and then."

And she pulled Heart Voice closer, and gave her a long, loving hug.

And now the Voices are quiet, no longer bickering, free of angst and confusion. They are curled together on the couch, giggling softly to one another over the mysteries of life and fate and why things happen as they do.

Secure in their knowledge that a Head without a Heart would be a very sad thing for their Girlie to endure.

I think I'll put the duct tape back in the drawer for now. =)