Since 1968
16
Your apartment feels a particular kind of empty, the emptiness that comes of knowing you could be not alone, if things were different. If you were different — or, rather, undifferent in the right ways.
You usually don’t let …
3
You perch yourself on the wooden edge of the restaurant’s landscaping, trying to look unconcerned and casual. You can feel little splinters snagging the ass of your dress, though, and a bit of yesterday’s rain-damp seeping into your underwear, …
4
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” you say. “My phone died.” As you say this, you reach into your purse, hold down the power button to your phone so it won’t buzz later and give you away.
“That sucks!” she says. “Okay, …
6
“There’s something I should tell you,” you say.
She waits.
“There are some things I actually can’t do. Like read text or drive. I mean, I could drive before. I learned how, on a stick too, but now I …
7
She holds the passenger door for you and shuts it behind you, all chivalrous. You wonder if she would have done this for you if you hadn’t told her, if she’s already beginning to treat you like you’re broken. …
2
You message her back that you’d love to meet up. She suggests a place you’ve never heard of, but you ask if she’d mind going to a restaurant you know. You choose it because you can walk to it …
5
“The weather was so nice, I decided to walk. I live really close by,” you say.
“Oh, that’s so cool!” she says. “Okay, I’ll give you a ride.”
You feel a solid twinge of guilt as you climb into …
8
You pop yourself into the passenger seat, close the door softly behind you because your ex used to complain about the way you’d slam everything, never cautious enough. You notice with satisfaction, though, that she slams the crap out …
9
The girl passes you the drinks list, and you pretend to examine it. When the waiter comes, you decide to order a gin and tonic. Every restaurant has a gin and tonic.
This one doesn’t.
You ask the server …
