Daniel answers one crazy question

144 words

I had known Daniel for just about a week when I asked him to explain, from his ex-wife’s perspective, the least charitable account of his marriage and divorce.

Sara, her eyes conveying deep alarm, said my name in the same tone she uses when the cat is doing something he knows he shouldn’t— Catherine!

(The implication: Don’t!)

But Daniel told Sara it was fine, then answered my question with enough honesty that he did, indeed, sound like a total asshole, entirely guilty. Everyone has a right to this kind of story about their ex. I told him the same story from my ex-husband’s perspective and it was just as bad. I sounded like a real pill.

Sara, the only mental health professional in the room, listened to our self-condemning conversation as if we were taking drugs that hadn’t been deemed safe for human consumption.