Same Time Next Summer

by Annabel Monaghan

Putting a person back together isn’t easy, but if you’re smart about it you can reassemble yourself in a totally different, better way.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that it’s totally possible to love someone from a safe distance.

“Do you care that he’s here? My old boyfriend? I guess he’s here to break into the music business, but I’m sorry it’s this weekend.” “Well, it turns up the drama a bit, doesn’t it?” Jack laughs a little. “I know. But you don’t mind, do you?” And I realize that I want him to mind. I want Jack to fully understand the seismic impact of that breakup on my life. It’s like when you’ve been covering up an ugly scar but also sort of want to show it to people so they know what you’ve been through.

Sam was a person who was capable of giving herself up to her laughter, and as he stood and watched, he thought it might be his favorite thing.

“We need to slow down,” she said by the time they were lying on the damp leaves. “Do we?” He was not slowing down. “We have all summer.” I want forever, he thought.

“If you’ve loved someone your whole life, it kind of makes sense that you’d love them forever.”