(Not So) Alone for Christmas

by Jenny Proctor

I would never fault her for the happiness she’d found, but it did a nice job of sharpening the edges of my own loneliness.

My life, on the other hand, was a catalog of caution: measured sentences, carefully calculated words, intentional choices geared toward keeping my world safe and secure. Even if that also meant keeping it small.

“I have no idea how we’re friends,” I said, following behind her. She turned and grinned. “I know exactly why we’re friends. I remind you to have fun and you remind me to be reasonable. It’s a perfect balance.”