The Seat Filler

by Sariah Wilson

“This was very thoughtful.” “You’re easy to think of.”

Not everybody’s parents are mentally healthy, and sometimes the best thing for you to do is move on with your own life.

Gossip really hit differently when it was about you.

“I don’t know what I’d do without chocolate.” “My guess is twenty-five to life.”

Logically, I understand that it wasn’t my fault and things just happen, but that doesn’t stop you from feeling what you feel.”

If anyone knew that you couldn’t stop feeling what you feel, it was me.

“Favorite ice cream?” “Vanilla, I guess. I don’t really eat a lot of ice cream.” “Don’t . . . eat . . . ,” I sputtered. “I don’t even know what to say to that. I feel like my people have been dishonored or something.”

I should have told him. But either way, he would have left. Just like my dad.” “I feel like that’s a whole other thing that I’m not qualified to get into with you, but maybe that’s another reason you kept your secret. Because you were convinced that no matter what you did, in the end, Noah would leave. And this way you got to justify your belief by causing it.”