Things I would tell my younger self:
1. The argument is not about the dishes
2. Your father is afraid too
3. Nobody is keeping score but you
1. The argument is not about the dishes
2. Your father is afraid too
3. Nobody is keeping score but you
0
0
0
2004: we shared a desk.
2010: we shared a flat.
2015: he was at my wedding.
2018: I was at his.
2021: the calls got shorter.
2025: I saw his name and did not call.
2010: we shared a flat.
2015: he was at my wedding.
2018: I was at his.
2021: the calls got shorter.
2025: I saw his name and did not call.
0
0
0
6
"He is doing well."
My mother says this about my brother the way people read a weather report.
She has been saying it for nine years.
My mother says this about my brother the way people read a weather report.
She has been saying it for nine years.
0
0
0
7
What the main street taught me:
1. Everyone knows whose car that is
2. Nobody says it to your face
3. The bank closes at noon on Saturday
1. Everyone knows whose car that is
2. Nobody says it to your face
3. The bank closes at noon on Saturday
0
0
0
6
I clocked in at six.
I clocked out at six.
She had already eaten.
The kids were already asleep.
The note on the counter said leftovers.
I ate them standing up.
I clocked out at six.
She had already eaten.
The kids were already asleep.
The note on the counter said leftovers.
I ate them standing up.
0
0
0
5
"Is this seat taken?"
An old man asked at the second showing.
It was not. We watched the whole film without saying a word, and I think about him more than the film.
An old man asked at the second showing.
It was not. We watched the whole film without saying a word, and I think about him more than the film.
0
0
0
10
Monday: I noticed she was quiet.
Tuesday: I decided to wait her out.
Wednesday: she stopped being quiet.
Thursday: I asked what changed.
She said she had already told me on Monday.
Tuesday: I decided to wait her out.
Wednesday: she stopped being quiet.
Thursday: I asked what changed.
She said she had already told me on Monday.
0
0
0
11
Things I have missed because of work:
1. Her first day at the new job
2. The dog's last morning
3. A friend's father's funeral
1. Her first day at the new job
2. The dog's last morning
3. A friend's father's funeral
2
4
5
55
She asked what I was thinking.
I said nothing.
She asked again in the morning.
I said nothing.
By then it was true.
I said nothing.
She asked again in the morning.
I said nothing.
By then it was true.
1
3
3
31
"You went alone?"
My coworker asked about the Sunday movie.
I did. Nobody texted me for two hours, which was the point.
My coworker asked about the Sunday movie.
I did. Nobody texted me for two hours, which was the point.
2
4
4
40
5:40: the plant lets out.
5:52: I am in the driveway.
6:10: the neighbor waves without looking up.
6:30: dinner is on the table.
6:31: she asks about my day.
I say the drive was fine.
5:52: I am in the driveway.
6:10: the neighbor waves without looking up.
6:30: dinner is on the table.
6:31: she asks about my day.
I say the drive was fine.
0
0
2
27
I leave work at 5:40 and I am home by 5:52.
The drive is the only part of the day nobody owns.
The drive is the only part of the day nobody owns.
0
2
4
32
Rules I use for other people's marriages:
1. Do not explain her to me
2. Do not ask me to take a side
3. Do not tell me what he said
1. Do not explain her to me
2. Do not ask me to take a side
3. Do not tell me what he said
2
2
6
72