The Safe Word Is “Trust”

Last night I finished Dangerous by Sandra Kishi Glenn. At 12:30 in the morning, I closed my Kindle and sat in my reading chair (doesn’t everyone have one?), allowing the book to sift through me.

In some places, Dangerous is difficult to read, not only because of the violence, but for its propensity to make you think. This is one of those rare books where you cannot be passive. It commands your attention. Please understand I say this not to berate the work, but to praise it and embrace the ideas presented by Ms. Glenn.

The element of BDSM is but a vehicle in this book, much like Michele Zurlo’s stories, a vehicle which takes you along for a ride to a new place of self. You don’t have to agree with the scene’s in Dangerous, but you do have to understand how it helps to develop the characters, both of which are damaged when you meet them at the beginning. The book uncovers their individual histories during the progression of the book.

As the characters get closer, both in their need for each other and their bigger need to heal, you, the reader, become part of the story, examining your life, especially as to the people within your circle. Do you take them at face value, seeing only what they present, or do you know the person so intimately, their flaws recede and you get more than a glimpse of their core?

Do you understand when your closeness is disturbing and recognize their safe word (or the talk of body language) and allow them to have a safe haven with you? Trust is all we have with each other, whether driving a car and understand it’s only a painted line separating you from calamity or the trust we have with a mate or friend, where acceptance is total.