I got an idea. she said

About time. he said

he said things like that

usually he saved his contempt for when people were around so he could make them laugh uncomfortably  but they laughed nevertheless   most of their friends were his

he thought he was clever

Your thought, what’s your thought? his tone was condescending

Sorry . . . was thinking of something other . .

. . You can hold two thoughts at once, will wonders ever cease?

she sniff  she chuckled

                           I can, an I also believe I can cease . one wonder . . right before your very eyes.

A magician, where’s this talent been all this time?

that smarted

              All this time, all this time? It feels long . doesn’t it?  How long does it feel to you?

  What?

           uncharacteristical  usually his mouth forged links dense long chainsconvoluted gnarly chains of words

often she wondered when he breathed between them

                                                         What? I asked.

Time.

         How long has it felt to you?

What . . what feels long to me?

I said time . let me . . . qualify . .

. . You’re going to qualify . for me.

Apparently I'll have to . . I thought it’d be more . obvious.

Qualify.  I’m confident I can follow.

Good. I depend on your confidence.

his eyes went sideways

she didnt talk to him like that

My idea . . time . time long past due . . . I’m calling us quits; as you’re fond of saying, Fini!

his jaw went hard

                    You . . you can’t call us quits, we’re we and as we, us, we have to . .

. . Concur? now she was being clever

If you would, yes, I would have to concur . .

. . In order for us to call to quits.

In order of us to call it quits. 

one last mocking she told him too many times not to mock her

                                                                  Actually that’s not true. I quit. Time, my answer for time, is long past due I’m . . . long  past  due.  I’m exhausted, take your show out on the road an see how it plays elsewhere.

So . I should leave, I should leave our plac . .

. . Doesn’t matter to me. You. Me.

                                    Fini!

Quit with tha . .

. . Irritating, isn’t it?

You’re being ridiculous.

she held up her hands

                        I surrender. Tell people whatever you like, you’re off the hook. I’m gonna say if asked, I don’t expect I will, but if I’m asked . . I’m saying I took our relationship to the edge of the dump, shot it in the head, rolled it downhill to let it commune, be chummy, with all other things inert.

Mr. Loquacious was tonguetied.

Christ, bout time. she thought

2127,  ReggaeFriday,  4  2. 22

420 preferred,  Twosday,  8  2. 22