Nora Goes Off Script

by Annabel Monaghan

“I’ve never met you,” he says. I remember this exactly, because it’s a weird sentence structure. The idea was that the two of us had never met, yet the way he says it puts the focus on him. You never forget your first red flag.

“I’ll fix you,” he says, and I turn around to face him. He’s joking, but I love the idea of being on the other side of the fixing equation. I love the idea that he thinks I’m worth the trouble. I love that buried deep in that sentence is a hint of the future tense.

You get used to not thinking about money pretty quick. But, like they say, it won’t make you happy.” “It’d make me happy,” says Mickey. “That’s because you’re already happy.”

“Well, this is new,” I say. “It is,” he says and takes my sweaty hand. “I mean, it’s a nice change from my old loop.” “I mean, you’re the first person I’ve ever been in love with,”

I suddenly remember what part of the movie we’re in.

My parents make me believe that some people really are made for each other and that a joyful, easy marriage is possible.

As long as I can keep getting men to leave me, I’ll be a huge success. Shouldn’t be a problem.

My parents are what we could have been if he’d just come back.

“I guess I want you to know that what we had was the most important thing that’s ever happened to me. And I’m glad it happened.”

I didn’t know who else to call.” “You should always call me.”

that the best things come back. Sometimes it’s right after the commercial, sometimes it takes longer. But time and sunshine bring growth, and life unfolds just the way it’s supposed to.