Unlikely Story

by Ali Rosen

It’s one thing to decide you’re in a rut and need to do something about it. It’s another thing to know what actually to do.

evening, I can simply hang out, say nothing if I want, and we can both be exactly who we are, but together. I’m always the quiet, even-keeled sidekick with everyone in my life, but with Dane that role feels like a privilege.

But I think silence can sometimes be our most active space.

“We’re all the sum of all the many, many people who’ve loved and loathed us, and everything in between. That can’t possibly be quantified.”

“Yeah, I did it for you,” he admits quietly.

“I’m not sure I could ever just be your friend,” he says with the saddest version of that perfect crooked smile.