I order a dirty martini, and my lunch partner orders an old fashioned. We have a deal to make. I want my way, and he wants his. We need to compromise, and really, who wants to do that? Goddesses don’t compromise. At least that’s what I like to think. This situation is different. Honesty is required. Not one of my virtues. Neither does it come naturally to Scorpio.

Scorpio is mischievous. His sting is something else, and I’ve been stung by the Scorpion before; thrice. This time he’s come down from the sky with a purpose, and I have to be nice. He wants Millicent Monday, one of the Gemini twins, to fall madly in love with him. But if I get what I want, I’ll lose the power to make that happen.

He downs his old fashioned, and I sip my martini. Neither of us says a word. We size each other up. Our server comes, and we order lunch. For me, chicken marsala. For him, a big serving of halibut and chips. We both decide to lay off the alcohol and drink iced tea, though it’s February and 25F outside, it’s cozy in here.

He says, I’ve missed having Love in my life. It’s good to see you. To what do I owe this invitation, Aphrodite?

I think you know. I’ve met a man. A man I think I could love for real. But in order to know for sure, I have to live as a human for a year. What I mean, dear Star, is that I’m tired of loving so many and having so many fall at my feet. It gets tiresome after these many years.

Well, you get right to the point as always, but how could you possibly get tired of being so loved? And why on earth would you want to lose your Goddess aura and be, god forbid, human for an entire year? I mean, human, Aphrodite? You might be happier as a rabbit, or some other furry creature. I mean, humans are so.. flawed.

I laugh out loud at that, and say, Scorp, we goddesses, gods and constellations are far more messed up than people. How can you say that? I’m the most flawed of all, and I can’t take it anymore. I need a break. I want to live in a house in the suburbs of Portland. I want to make sticky toffee pudding for the holidays. I want to wear jeans and sweaters and watch cat videos sometimes. Maybe a crummy Netflix show with Geoffrey, and drink Chianti from the grocery store instead of the best from Tuscany.

Geoffrey? Is that your crush’s name? Does he make a lot of money? Enough to support you in the style to which you’ve become accustomed?

I respond, he’s a builder. And I don’t need him to support me. I can get a job.

And I can tell the Scorpion is trying desperately not to laugh out loud. His eyes twinkle just like they do before he stings. I told myself I have to be honest with him, and much of what I’m saying is the truth. Some of it isn’t, but can he tell? I think he’s on the verge of saying yes, but he’ll want something from me first. So far, this seems easy. Will he want to meet Geoffrey? There really is a Geoffrey. I’m not making him up. And I do want a romance with him, but that’s not all I want.

Scorpio clears his throat, eats his last fry and piece of halibut, and stares to our right for a minute. He knows what he has to do to make this human year possible for me. He has to sting me once, but painlessly, to make sure this is a good outcome. Not something he enjoys. He always stings to punish, with a painful result for his target. What will I have to compromise if he agrees?

I get my answer. He smiles and says, okay, Love. You can have humanness for a year. Try not to enjoy it too much, or let it get around the grapevine, or the next thing you know Apollo and Eris will want to join in. We can’t live without at least some Discord in the world. But I want something from you first.

And I think, oh crap. Here it comes. He wants Millicent. But no. She’s not who he wants. He wants.. a remedy of sorts.

He says, I want to trade places with Eris. I want you to banish her to the sky for fifty years. Like your Love needs a break for awhile, my stinger needs a rest. There are other ways to cause Chaos. I want Eris trapped up there. Scorpio points upward. She deserves it after spoiling things for me and Daphne.

I say, But how am I supposed to do this when I’m human? I won’t have my powers.

He shrugs. That’s for you to figure out, sweet Aphrodite. But yes. I’ll give you what you want. Now I want what I want.

Before I have a chance to consider, Scorpio reaches across our small table and touches the right side of my neck with his left index finger. I feel a little rush and a tingle down both arms, but that’s it. I close my eyes for five seconds then open them. I feel different.. a little tired. My feet ache. A hear a woman’s voice. She says, apparently to me, okay, Kristin! Break’s over. I just sat table 26. They’re waiting for you.

And I think, oh god! This was too quick! I thought I’d have time. But it seems I’m a server in a little family restaurant. I wonder where I live? Was that arranged by Scorpio too? Guess I’ll find out, won’t I? I get out my pad and pen and head for table 26. Why do I know which one it is?! What have I wished for?

********************

What will happen? How will the Goddess of Love do as a restaurant server? Will she earn good tips? Will she manage to get the Goddess of Discord banished to the sky? What will she do to Scorpio when she gets her human hands on him?How will she figure out where she lives? Does she have a cat or maybe a pet emu? And if she does, what do emus eat? And does she even know how to make sticky toffee pudding?

Will the cat be let out of the bag? 🙂 There are many secrets to be learned!

More stories to come here on Rebellious Hazelnuts! Stay tuned!