I had never spoken to her before.
I asked a question.
'Tell me one thing about yourself
which you have never told anyone else?'
A slight pause,
eyes moved to the ceiling,
then back to mine.
"When I am alone,
I talk out loud to myself."
I thanked her.
I said it was wondrous to be so honest.
I had not said that I would not tell anyone.
I had not said it would be confidential.
She trusted me
No ridicule.
No devaluing.
No hard questioning.
Just authenticity offered,
authenticity received.
This was Level Five communication.
Also a release of something locked away,
locked away in secret.
A step away from residing in a place called comfortable
into a place where growth resides.
I had earlier shared my vulnerability.
A deliberate undressing of the soul.
To a large group.
She was in that group.
She trusted me.
Beautiful.
I will remember her forever.
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