“Those are not inherently traps.”
“Intellectually. What did they feel like?”
“Expectations I could fail.”
The truth came out easier than expected. Maybe because she already knew the worst story. Amy folded her hands on the table.
“Did you love her?”
“No.”
“Did she love you?”
“She said she did.”
“You did not believe her?”
“I believed she loved the version of me who was fun.”
“Were you different with her?”
“I’m different with everyone.”
Amy stopped turning her water glass.
“That sounds lonely.”
The observation went directly through me. I studied the candle flame.
“I’m good at giving people what they need.”
“What do you need?”
“You ask difficult questions on dates.”
“You requested inefficiency.”
“This is emotional overachievement.”
The corner of her mouth betrayed her. I answered.
“I need someone not to treat my fear like an emergency they have to fix.”
Amy absorbed the statement.
“I make plans when afraid.”
“Yes. That could feel like fixing.”
“Sometimes.”
“What should I do instead?”
“Ask whether I want a plan.”
“I can do that.”
“What do you need?”
