Monday, September 3, 2012

We didn't even really fight

Mom: See, so many great walks around here. (Pause.) We didn't even really fight on this visit.
A.: We didn't?
Mom: Did we? About what?
A.: For one thing, about how many times in a day, and starting at what hour of the morning, is it helpful to point out that my hair is to dark.
Mom: Well, that's not important. (Pause.) Is Jay's boyfriend the same one we met?
A.: No, a different one.
Mom: What happened to the other one? They broke up?
A.: Yeah.
Mom: What happened between you...
A.: I already told you.
Mom: Remind me.
A.: We were too different.
Mom: Of course you were.
A.: [Shrug.]
Mom: And you didn't want to be friends.
A.: No.
Mom: Why not?
A.: We thought it best to move on. [I did not say, "you can move on now, too."]

At this point, dad came back into the kitchen. He opened the fridge door.

Mom: The thing is, you're overly rational.
Dad: Listen...

It was unclear what dad would say next. It could have been, "where's the butter," but mom took it otherwise.

Mom: You, stay out of this. When--
Dad: When you lecture people on their defects, you want anyone else present to stay out of it.
Mom: Right.

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