French Exit

by Patrick deWitt

“Oh, to be youngish and in love–ish.”

He was a pile of American garbage and she feared she would love him forever.

She had occasionally in her life found herself loving men not in spite of but for their stupidity.

“The world changes, my friends, as the weather changes. Our motivations, our dreams and agitations, our fears change, too. But wine? Wine is immovable. Upon hearing good news, what do we do? We reach for wine. And when we hear bad news? Wine again.”

But, I was shocked because I suddenly understood that the heart takes care of itself. We allow ourselves contentment; our heart brings us ease in its good time.”

And third, three, yes, my life is riddled by clichés, but do you know what a cliché is? It’s a story so fine and thrilling that it’s grown old in its hopeful retelling.” Joan couldn’t help but smile at this. “People tell it,” Frances said. “Not so many live it.”