All the anticipation, expectation & prognostication having systematically considered br Every one of the almost infinite permutations and possibilities, br Assigning each its own probability, br The mediation meeting should surely have held not a single surprise. br br Sure enough: it didn’t… br I’d plotted the point with such microscopic measure. br br Then why, when it came, br As familiar as a family face, br Did I feel my fingers fumble br For the business-like bottle of branded water br Only to feel it flinch, frozen from my grasp: br Its condensation recoiling br From an unwelcome arranged marriage br To the sweat standing proud on my palms – br Palms that felt as dry as the strangled cry stuck in my craw? br br Maybe it wasn’t me. br Maybe the water-with-a-will br Was simply sneering at the no-name plastic cup: br Its all-too-unattractive, decanted destination. br br “Love you………but can’t. br Love you………..but won’t. br Love you………..but……” br br But to me, everything but love can have buts; br But then…..