Oh my! I had to take a few minutes to catch my breath. You have created such a tantalizingly romantic encounter between these two. Such a beautiful portrayal of physical magnetism moving into love.
Seufz! Ach wie schön. Hach...I simply couldn't wait to read it tomorrow morning. I will read it again....
Gloria, I’m just melting with romance and with this undercurrent of sizzling eroticism in this piece. It’s the kind that builds in glances, in the space between words, in the weight of a touch not quite given yet fully received. The tension hums in the quiet—between Riley and Vivian, between their work and their want, between history and the present moment.
The ghost light holds them after the audience is gone, casting its own kind of intimacy over everything. The theater, emptied of spectacle, becomes something else entirely—a space where truths can be spoken in whispers and encoded in movement.
You let Riley and Vivian move like echoes of something older than themselves, their dialogue stretching across time, through history, through movements that have repeated in different forms, always asking the same question: "Who do you trust with the weight of your resistance?"
And that journal—the way it shifts the air between them. The weight of it is more than history; it’s permission, an invitation into something deeper. The codes, the gestures, the way meaning is woven into something unspoken—it’s in the way Vivian watches Riley, in the way Riley leans into Vivian’s presence before she leans into her body.
It’s all there before either of them acknowledges it. Before the words catch up to what’s already known.
This isn’t just about theater, and it isn’t just about history.
It’s about the spaces between, the ways we learn to read each other, the ways we choose who to let in and who we keep at a distance. It’s a choreography. A cipher. A resistance.
And the quiet revolution at the heart of it—the refusal to be alone.
You write them with precision and patience, giving them room to step toward each other without forcing anything. It lands.
Thank you for such a wonderfully romantic and quiet chapter that lives through its higher vibration.
It is never a bad thing , Maye that is why it gets so descriptive loving and sensual . Just keep seeing it in your mind and story will follow . hugs and peace
I always thought people that can't picture all in their head , feelings , emotions , fears and sexual things . Were just writing .When done with feelings brings books to life . You seem yo have nailed that . Hugs and peace too you and family
“Memorizing the new nearness…” might be my favorite line in this chapter. The art of touching for the first time, exquisite delicacy. Breaking all the rules. They belong together.
Thank you. I was shocked to find out this morning via email that I had earned a little checkmark for paid subscribers. It is a thrill and one I never expected.
I love that you love that line. I think when we fall in love we do attempt to memorize all the details of that person. It seemed to fit the moment and the two women.
I am endlessly grateful for everyone who reads my work. Truly. The fact that there are people—actual human beings—who not only read it but pay to read it? Well, that’s another thing entirely. It’s baffling. It’s surreal. It makes me feel like I should probably send thank-you notes, but instead, I just sit here, grinning like an idiot. Humbled? Absolutely. Delighted? Beyond words. And if you think this means I’m not still worried about whether the next thing I write will be any good, you’d be wrong—but at least now, I’m worrying with a smile.
Oh my! I had to take a few minutes to catch my breath. You have created such a tantalizingly romantic encounter between these two. Such a beautiful portrayal of physical magnetism moving into love.
Excellent!
Thank you. 🙏 This was very interesting to write.
I see an Oscar in this writing, need a director and a producer. Who would you have play the leads?
Seufz! Ach wie schön. Hach...I simply couldn't wait to read it tomorrow morning. I will read it again....
Gloria, I’m just melting with romance and with this undercurrent of sizzling eroticism in this piece. It’s the kind that builds in glances, in the space between words, in the weight of a touch not quite given yet fully received. The tension hums in the quiet—between Riley and Vivian, between their work and their want, between history and the present moment.
The ghost light holds them after the audience is gone, casting its own kind of intimacy over everything. The theater, emptied of spectacle, becomes something else entirely—a space where truths can be spoken in whispers and encoded in movement.
You let Riley and Vivian move like echoes of something older than themselves, their dialogue stretching across time, through history, through movements that have repeated in different forms, always asking the same question: "Who do you trust with the weight of your resistance?"
And that journal—the way it shifts the air between them. The weight of it is more than history; it’s permission, an invitation into something deeper. The codes, the gestures, the way meaning is woven into something unspoken—it’s in the way Vivian watches Riley, in the way Riley leans into Vivian’s presence before she leans into her body.
It’s all there before either of them acknowledges it. Before the words catch up to what’s already known.
This isn’t just about theater, and it isn’t just about history.
It’s about the spaces between, the ways we learn to read each other, the ways we choose who to let in and who we keep at a distance. It’s a choreography. A cipher. A resistance.
And the quiet revolution at the heart of it—the refusal to be alone.
You write them with precision and patience, giving them room to step toward each other without forcing anything. It lands.
Thank you for such a wonderfully romantic and quiet chapter that lives through its higher vibration.
(づ๑•ᴗ•๑)づ♡ Jay
Thank you so much. ｡^‿^｡
Had no idea you were creating a sensual masterpiece of intrigue. Subscribed. And congratulations!
I am leaving no stone unturned!
Thank you so much for subscribing.
Incredible writing Gloria , So descriptive and romantic . You can almost see them if you close your eyes .Great job my friend . hugs and peace
Thank you. Mitch, I have fallen in love with my characters! Is that a bad thing??
It is never a bad thing , Maye that is why it gets so descriptive loving and sensual . Just keep seeing it in your mind and story will follow . hugs and peace
Thanks, Mitch.
I always thought people that can't picture all in their head , feelings , emotions , fears and sexual things . Were just writing .When done with feelings brings books to life . You seem yo have nailed that . Hugs and peace too you and family
Nicely stated!
Beautiful. Breathtaking. Thanks very much
I’m so glad you like it!
Congratulations in becoming a best seller
You most certainly deserve this honor.
“Memorizing the new nearness…” might be my favorite line in this chapter. The art of touching for the first time, exquisite delicacy. Breaking all the rules. They belong together.
And damn if the sizzle doesn’t just blow me away!
Thank you. I was shocked to find out this morning via email that I had earned a little checkmark for paid subscribers. It is a thrill and one I never expected.
I love that you love that line. I think when we fall in love we do attempt to memorize all the details of that person. It seemed to fit the moment and the two women.
It’s tender and haunting all at once. Your paid subscribers are there because you are wonderful. This check is well deserved. ❤️
I am endlessly grateful for everyone who reads my work. Truly. The fact that there are people—actual human beings—who not only read it but pay to read it? Well, that’s another thing entirely. It’s baffling. It’s surreal. It makes me feel like I should probably send thank-you notes, but instead, I just sit here, grinning like an idiot. Humbled? Absolutely. Delighted? Beyond words. And if you think this means I’m not still worried about whether the next thing I write will be any good, you’d be wrong—but at least now, I’m worrying with a smile.
Beautiful! You deserve all the praise and success for your writing and Substack fame! You are surreal Gloria and this is timeless and classic!
Thank you, Lynn!
Agreed completely. For a moment there I forgot thar I was reading. It felt as if I were watching.
Nice!
Thanks, Perry.
⭐️💕⭐️💕⭐️Glad you put the links⭐️💕
Thanks for the suggestion. (✿◡‿◡)
Oh, yes! ✩ 🖇️ ✩
Louise — “yes” is the only word.
Damn! Intensely stirring.
Thanks, Stanley.
You never disappoint Love this story and hate the wait until the next chapter
It's really interesting to write!
Bravissima ancora!
Grazie infinite!
Exquisite
Thank you 🙏
I get the feeling that somehow this is autobiographical. The intensity is palpable.
Oh my, intrigue, passion, dangerous corners ... I so want Vivian to carry a small Walther PPK on her person.
Her cane = weapon
Yes to the gun.