Goddess: Girlie, I've been meaning to talk to you about this sex and love thing.

Girlie: Wha-what? I have no idea what you mean.

Goddess: Yes, you do. Why have you chosen to have sex in your life, but without love?

Girlie: Because love complicates things too much, and I don't have time in my life for complications.

Goddess (smirking): Oh, please, my dear. You have time in your life for that damn computer, how can you say you have no time for love?

Girlie: You said "damn"!!

Goddess: I'm a Goddess, I'm entitled to a curse word now and then.

Girlie: Hehe, well - my "damn" computer doesn't talk back, or make demands on me, or recoil in horror at how my face looks first thing in the morning.

Goddess: But your computer is an inanimate object. It can't kiss your eyelids to wake you up, rub your shoulders when they are tired from working all day, or tell you how important you are in its life.

Girlie: I haven't met a man yet who'll do those things for me either!

Goddess: You can't meet a man if you don't leave your apartment!

Girlie (reluctantly): True. But why do I need those things anyway? My physical needs are being satisfied, so why can't that be enough? And my computer satisfies my need for mental stimulation.

Goddess: Because there is more to you than just physical and intellectual needs. You also have an emotional side, and you're neglecting it.

Girlie: Oh pooh, emotions schmotions. Emotions lead to trouble. I don't need that kind of trouble, I have had enough of it.

Goddess: And what about your soul?

Girlie: My soul?

Goddess: Yes. Your soul. It's at risk for becoming empty, hollow - dead, even.

Girlie: Dead?! What are you saying, that I'm dying inside?

Goddess: Possibly. Love touches many parts of a person, and when the love is strong, it feeds the soul. It can become a spiritual experience, helping you to connect to parts of yourself that you never knew existed. Without it, you may become an empty shell, just a body going through the motions of living without truly experiencing life.

Girlie: Hmmm, this is starting to sound awfully sappy to me, and you know I'm really not one for sap.

Goddess: Hehe, no you aren't. But there's something to be said for a little sap in a woman's life.

Girlie: But men manage to have sex without having feelings about their partner, why can't I do the same?

Goddess: Because you are not a man.

Girlie: But I'm not your typical woman, either.

Goddess: Still, you are a woman. You cannot deny the biological needs I instilled in you at your birth.

Girlie: Can't you just take those back? I really have no use for them anymore.

Goddess: Grrrr, you are an obstinate one, aren't you?

Girlie: Hey, you made me that way!

Goddess: Don't remind me! You have no idea how many times I've checked your DNA spiral, wondering where exactly I went wrong!

Girlie: Now that was uncalled for.

Goddess: Sorry.

Girlie: Forgiven.

Goddess: Look, your friends have been telling you for a while now that you're only doing yourself harm by denying this part of yourself. You've ignored them, so now I'm stepping in. You simply cannot continue on like this.

Girlie: Yes, I can! I'm happy, dammit, can't you see that?

Goddess: No - you've just convinced yourself that you are happy.

Girlie: Gee, as long as I'm convinced, isn't that what counts?

Goddess: Lying to yourself isn't wise either. One day, when you realize the truth, it may be too late.

Girlie: Hey now, I made an effort this weekend, didn't I? Is it my fault that he's not "the one"?

Goddess: Some effort! The whole time you were with him, what did you think about, instead of paying attention to his conversation?

Girlie (red-faced): Um, my website?

Goddess: Lying again, huh? That's okay, you don't have to admit it - because I am omniscient, and it's only important that I know the truth about exactly what - or who - you were thinking about.

Girlie: Oh, you hush now!! Don't give that away. How embarrassing!

Goddess: Don't worry, I'll keep your secret. But it's telling you something, something to which you should pay very close attention.

Girlie: Oh please! It's only telling me that the sex is good - very, very good - and we both know that doesn't mean much at all in the grand scheme of things.

Goddess: But the fact that the sex is very, very good bothers you, doesn't it?

Girlie: (silence)

Goddess: Hmmmm?

Girlie: Okay, maybe just a little. But I don't want to talk about it! I need to work that out in my head first.

Goddess: Why would that be something that "needs to be worked out"? If you've chosen to have a relationship that's only about sex, I would hope that at least it's very, very good sex!

Girlie: Because that's how I am - I have to analyze things first before I know that I understand them. And I'm sure that when I'm done analyzing, I will reach the conclusion that it really doesn't mean much at all.

Goddess: Or maybe you'll reach the conclusion that having sex which is too good triggers those biological needs I was talking about earlier.

Girlie (scowling): There you go again, with that biological claptrap. Even if I do momentarily feel those needs now and then, they pass quickly. I think it's just PMS, anyway. Nothing permanent or serious, just a minor annoyance.

Goddess (sighing): Whatever you say, Girlie. I'm beginning to regret starting this conversation. I should have known you'd get stubborn on me.

Girlie: It's just that sometimes, I really don't want to think about this stuff. I consider it a weakness, and I'm working very hard to eliminate that particular weakness from my personality. I hear you saying that it may not be a good thing for me in the long run, and I promise to give some thought to what you said. But I'm tired now, and I just want to go watch TV and let my brain go numb in anticipation of a busy day at work tomorrow.

Goddess: My dear, wanting to love and be loved is not a weakness; I wish that you could see that.

Girlie: I'll try, really I will. But I just don't know if I can accept that anymore. I think it may be too late for me to change my mind about this whole love thing. I do get scared sometimes - but only sometimes - that I might wind up old and alone. But as I said, it passes rather quickly.

Goddess: I'll be praying hard for you; I truly think it's important for you to be willing to stop protecting your heart so much.

Girlie: Thanks, Goddess. It is comforting to know someone's watching out for my best interests - even if I'm not sure I agree with what that someone thinks is in my best interests!

Goddess: You're welcome, Girlie. Goodnight.

Girlie: Goodnight!