Future Past Present Tense

From time to time I show up in myself just long enough for people to know that they are not in the room alone. Usually, these are people who expect something from me--a near future, a not-too-distant future. What I tell them is limited to the people I have already had myself married against. Everything I say is to the best of my knowledge and next to nothing. It comes nowhere close.

--Gary Lutz

Bailey says, “You’re a little less kind.”

I say, “I am, but a little more patient.”

Bailey says, “You say a little less.”

I say, “But I think I think a little more.”

Bailey says, “Hmm.”

I say, “What did you expect?”

Bailey says, “I’m not sure, but I know there were expectations.”

I say, “What kinds of expectations?”

Bailey says, “Ones that haven’t been met.”

I say, “It’s been awhile.”

Guy says, “This is boring. Listening to you two is like watching a long commercial.”

Guy says, “Neither one of you has moved a piece in over five minutes, isn’t that against the rules or something?”

Guy picks up my pawn. “Look, you can move here or here. Or here. Ta-da.”

Bailey says, “Maybe we should have played another game.”

Guy nods.

I move my rook, diagonally.

Bailey says, “You can’t do that, but I can let it go this one time.”

I say, “Okay, thanks.”

Guy says, “I’m going to leave. You want a ride back to your place?”

I say, “Yes.”

Bailey says, “No one won.”

I say, “No one lost either.”

Bailey shrugs. He picks up the pieces.

Bailey says, “See you soon?” 

I say, “In the future.”

Guy is waiting in the car.