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.
