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