#rivervale_lodge

Sally Mae explains to Kerri "So, the chocolate pie was a hit. "

"Well, it's usually a pretty safe bet, except for the canine pooka."

"I sometimes wonder if they really ARE unable to eat chocolate or just pulling our legs. Anyway, Mountain Vali and Dame Dagmar have worked their asses off of late, and no complaints from either so I figured a bit of a spoil was worth it. Mountain even made copies for you if you want them"

"That's kind. Maybe later." She wipes down the counters automatically. "How're things going for you, Sally Mae?"

She says "Not... as well as I hoped," She admits "Carowyn and i are having some troubles"

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." She turns and leans against the counter. "Anything you want to talk about?"

"Just... priorities and ... lately he's been Liaming.. hard, and I am fine with that, but I feel a bit judged"

"He wants US to give more to charity" She goes on. "Only it's not our money, it's my earnings"

"Hm. What's he been contributing to the relationship, financially?"

"Not so much, and that's on me. I told him I would worry about that. He works part time and Kings Convenience? Not great pay but fair?"

"Yes, but not exactly the kind of income that lends towards giving a lot to charity."

"It feels good to say, 'I'll take care of that!'...until 'that' becomes more and more and more."

She looks ashamed "But I DID say it. Maybe I shouldn't have"

"You did say it when you thought you knew how much he was talking about. Now he's talking about more."

A frown "His arguement is I am MAKING More"

"Well, WE are" Wryly

"Well..." She thinks for a moment. "If you don't mind my advice...?"

"Wouldn't have bitched about the ailment if I wasn't hoping for a cure" A smile

albeit a weak one

"Okay." She takes a seat on one of the stools. "If you two are sharing funds to that extent, you might have to get more detailed about that sharing. Break down the expenses...and what percent that is of your income, and he should be contributing the same percentage from his income to that expense. He might view further contributions more fairly then."

"Or..." she adds "...you decide you don't mind the relationship being unequal financially as long as he provides enough support otherwise. It is okay to do that, if you want."

She ponders "I have broken it down ,but haven't shown him..was worried I Might seem petty"

"Well, if he reacts that way, that's important to know. This isn't petty, and it isn't selfish. It's reasonable. And...maybe when the Chieftain and Frank get back from their trip, you might ask Frank to have a Liam-to-Liam talk about charity."

"I like Liams... I LOVE One, but I am not as...extreme as them. I thought he knew that and was okay with that"

A grin. "Sally Mae, a relationship isn't a steady state. You need to keep checking in, making sure you both understand what's going on in the other's head."

A grumble "I thought the non steady state part was that he drove my family nuts. I admit, part of me LIKED that. Otherwise I thought 'I' was the high maintenance one"

"The relationship is the one that requires maintenance, as if it's its own person."

That makes her go thoughtful "I never thought of it that way before. "

She nods. "You can certainly believe in happily-ever-after...but you have to accept that it also means communicatiion-ever-after."

"I suppose. One thing I have noticed, Olgar seems very aware of your moods and vice versa. I guess you both do frequent check ins on that and more with each o ther"

"We do. Mind you, it takes time to build that kind of interaction. Time, and work."

"Think Olgar could talk to Carowyn? Man to man, about the need for... communication?" Hopeful

A bemused look, understanding an element of subtext in the request, and she nods. "I can do that."

"Thank you" She says "I will make sure a six pack of his favorite beer is in our fridge for the visit "

"Good plan."

"On the farm we know men are like wheels, you can keep them running more effieciently if you know what oil suits em"

Then she says "Oh, speaking of which... got an idea for pennons I wanted to run by you..."

and the conversation switches to cuisine for the big contest

(End Scene)