As promised, this drabble is dedicated to the recently wed, always excited (and with a girl like Sandi, who wouldn't be? nyuk nyuk) Jay P. Hailey, who finds my prefaces distracting—primarily because I should "let the prose speak for itself."

Now, Jay: I actually solicited a range of opinions on this, and the hoi polloi love my little comments; so if I choose to exercise my BA in BS, well, I guess you'll have to live with it.

Please congratulate Mrs. Hailey again for me, will ya?

“‘The Heart Has Reasons’”

By Joseph Manno

T’Vaar arched a brow.

“Centurion, your declaration of attraction is… not entirely unexpected.”

I braced, fully prepared to be told in no uncertain terms that my feelings were illogical, and why my affection could never be returned. I was, thus, surprised at her next statement.

“What, precisely, would you require of me?” She afforded me the merest trace of a smile—whether teasing, genuinely affectionate, or both, I did not know… or care. My spirits were lifted and my hopes restored.

My tutors in oratory, rhetoric and poetry, though, would have been appalled.

I had no idea what to say.