Over coffee 

for Mags, a thank you

We chat about mundane things: the musical chairs of work,

a new and obscure musician; the calico who deems the garage

the safest place for her kittens. We laugh over hobbies we collect

by the dozen. The impulse to buy more notebooks than we

need. The last time we ever remember having cheesecake.

All these different things, to skirt around the real reason

for this unplanned catch-up. Happier, easier things

to build up courage.

And then you say: So.

And then I go: I’m tired of living a life constantly under review.

It was that moment I realized how much I needed

someone — anyone — to tell me: Then don’t.

—N.

04302024, 2:46am