Getting through the door was the easy part. But once inside, Alan didn’t know quite what to do. He wanted to sit in on of the fancy, comfortable chairs he saw surrounding the woman he had come to see, because his feet hurt after having walked for miles to find the place, but they all seemed to be occupied. No one greeted him. No one even noticed him come in! Everyone in the dark yet glittery room had his attention focused on the woman.
Who was she? Alan had heard various rumors concerning her powers, her possible affiliation with the powers of darkness, her possible affiliation with the powers of good. All he knew for sure was that people talked about her. They had talked so much that he had to come and see for himself. And what was she doing? It looked like she was just sitting and chatting with the people in the chairs closest to her. Alan edged closer. Yes, that is what she was doing. Everyone else was just watching. He edged even closer, trying to hear what was being said. He could possibly hear talking, but couldn’t make out what was being said. He saw the man in the chair closest to the woman start to smile broadly. He looked as though he would burst with happiness. He stood up and went outside.
The chair stayed empty for a while. No one moved. Alan looked around at the crowd to see if he could figure out what was to happen. Suddenly, Alan became aware that the woman was not only looking right at him but that she was beckoning him to come and sit down. He moved forward in a daze and sat in the chair to her right.
“Who are you?” he blurted, and was then ashamed that he had not said something more graceful. The woman just laughed and said, “I am nobody. But I am so glad that you made your way here today. I imagine you are wondering what I do.” Alan nodded mutely, and was astonished when she went on: “You want to know how to save your marriage. This is easy. You do not need to change. You must be yourself. You must look at your wife and find what is good about her. And when she speaks, listen carefully to find the wisdom in what she says. Think on these things. See them anew and afresh every day. This is not an easy task, mind you. But you can appreciate one small thing each day, you can marvel at her womanhood, and you can make sure that she knows you have heard one of the many things she says. The seed you plant this way will grow. Do not ask anything of her.” She laid her hand on his arm and Alan knew he could revive and save his marriage, though he hadn’t known it was in trouble until the woman spoke.
Alan felt suddenly that he had to go home. He said, “thank-you so much,” and walked the many miles back to his house as though on air. He wasn’t quite sure what had actually happened, nor even why he was so grateful. She hadn’t said much more than any respectable self-help book on the subject of marriage, but everything seemed so clear and easy now. Whatever this mysterious power people said she had, well, he had some of it now. He wondered how long this feeling would last and how he was so certain that things would work out, but then decided that some mysteries didn’t really need an explanation. He would just take this one without questioning.
