The Couple
“Off to work.”
“Have a good day.”
-----
“How was your day? I missed you.”
“Good.”
“What did you do?”
“Oh just hung around here and there.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes of course. Are you?”
“Yes.”
-----
“You feel amazing.”
“Yes you too.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes of course. Are you?”
“Yes but I’m asking because you don’t seem to be enjoying it.”
“No, I think it's great.”
“But you aren’t moving. You aren’t making any sound. What can I do to be better?”
“Nothing. You are perfect.”
------
“Off to work.”
“Love you.”
---
“I’m home. And I brought a surprise.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you excited?”
“Yes I love it.”
“It’s a her and she’s a Dachsund.”
“I love her.”
“What do you want to call her?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Come on. Pick a name. Aren’t you happy?”
“Yes. Any name will do really.”
“You aren’t smiling.”
“But I am.”
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“Is it okay if I do it like this? Do you like that?”
“Yes, that’s great.”
“Come on. Please just tell me what I can do to make you happy.”
“I am happy.”
“Let’s just go to bed.”
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“I got you flowers. Here.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you like them?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? You don’t seem quite happy?”
“I love them truly.”
“Maybe I’ll try another type next time. Or is it the color?”
“No, they are perfect.”
------------
“Off to work.”
“Goodbye.”
“Don’t forget we are having guests tonight. I think it would be good for both of us to have company, new friends.”
“I am very excited.”
“Can you cook or should we cater?”
“Whatever you’d like.”
“But which would you prefer?”
“I am fine either way really.”
“Can you cook?”
“Yes.”
“What will you cook?”
“Whatever you think is best.”
“Find a good recipe please.”
“Okay.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
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“What did you decide to make?”
“Just some recipe I found online.”
“It smells great.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you for getting the groceries and for cooking. Is that what you are wearing?”
“Yes. Should I change?”
“No, no. I love it. You just don’t seem too enthused.”
“I am. I think it is great to meet new people.”
“Exactly. You spend so much time alone maybe you can make friends with some of then and they can keep you company when I am away.”
“That sounds great.”
----------
“What did you think of them?”
“Oh yes they were so fun.”
“You just didn’t seem present. Are you okay?”
“Yes of course. Are you?”
“Stop asking me and just tell me what I can do for you please. Please, I love you and I am concerned.”
“No need to get so exasperated. I am fine. Really..”
“That’s fine. Will you call any of them to socialize soon?”
“Maybe. I think I am fine alone.”
-------
“Off to work.”
“Goodbye.”
---------
“Do you hold the dog?”
“Sometimes.”
“She is a baby. She needs attention and touch.”
“I know. I hold her every now and then.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes of course. Are-”
“No I’m not.”
------------
“Let’s go on a vacation.”
“That sounds great.”
“Where do you want to go.”
“Wherever you want.”
“But tell me any place you’ve had any remote desire to see.”
“I don’t know. Whatever makes you happy is what I like, I suppose.”
“But what about you?”
“I don’t know.”
“I want to stay at home until you have an idea of where you want to go.”
“Okay.”
“Is it me?”
“What is?”
“Nothing. Let’s go to Europe this winter.”
“Okay.”
“Aren’t you excited?”
“Yes.”
-----------
“How was your day?”
“Good.”
“What did you do?”
“Just read a bit.”
“What did you read?”
“That old book from our bookshelf.”
“Do you want to watch a movie?”
“Yes.”
“What do you want to watch?”
‘Whatever you like.”
“Can you pick one?”
“Yes but I am fine watching anything.”
“Who are you? What do you want?”
“Nothing. What do you mean?”
“Let’s just go to bed.”
--------
“Off to work.”
“Goodbye.”
“Don’t cook for tonight. We can go out and eat.”
“Okay.”
“What kind of food would you like?”
“Oh, anything will do.”
“Can you look at me when we talk please? What is outside the window?”
“Nothing. Let’s do the cheapest option. I know you work so hard.”
“But I want to spend money for you. It is all for you. What are you looking at?”
“Nothing. Okay let’s do whatever you want then.”
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. What do you mean?”
“Nothing.”
------
“How do you feel about having a child?”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
“I hardly see you show affection to the dog.”
“I do love her though.”
“How about waiting for a little while before having kids.”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
-------
“How was your day?”
“Good.”
“Well what did you do?”
“Just dallied and tidied up here and there.”
“What did you eat?”
“Just the leftovers from yesterday.”
“Do you have fun with the dog?”
“Oh yes, she’s great.”
“Did you call any of our friends from the party?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I didn’t really feel the need to.”
“Why?”
“Why are you asking so many questions? I am fine the way things are. I really am.”
“What do you think about when you look off at nothing?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing… I don’t believe it. Is there a dream you want to pursue? Is it someone else you else?”
“No no not at all. Why are you saying all these things?”
“Because I don’t think you’re happy.”
“I am.”
“Are you really okay?”
“Yes.”
------------
“Is it the position?”
“What do you mean?”
“How do you want me to do it? I will change however you want, to make you happy.”
“I think it is completely fine the way you do it.”
“Just tell me what you want.”
“Nothing.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes-”
“Am I not enough?”
“What are you talking about? Of course you are.”
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“I have another surprise for you.”
“I am very excited.”
“Me too. My friend will be arriving anytime now.”
“For what?”
“To pleasure you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I am not enough. You are bored or depressed or lonely. This will help our marriage.”
“But I am fine.”
“Here he is.”
“I will be downstairs waiting.”
“Okay.”
-----------
“How was it? How was he?”
“Good.”
“God. There is no change… What is wrong?”
“Nothing. I am fine.”
“And I am not. I am not enough.”
“You are perfect.”
“What more do you want? More time? Work? A cat? A plant? A bigger person? I’ll do anything. Please. Look at me. Look at me. What’s out there?”
“Nothing. I have everything I need. I love you.”
“Okay. I love you too.”
-------
“Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
