"No one told me it'd be this hard."
"And if they did?"
"I don't know, maybe I could've mentally prepared myself, even just a little. Instead, I feel like that...that green Styrofoam for fake plant vases that just crumbles apart the minute you pinch it."
She pinches me.
"Look, you're not falling apart."
I don't laugh. Instead, I sigh, roll my eyes.
"I'm not going to say sorry," she says.
She cranes, peeking up at me like she's searching for something. Her tone changes, serious.
"You're one of the strongest people I know. You're going to get through this. You always do."
"A part of me feels broken this time," I respond.
"Most things that are broken can be fixed."
"I hope you're right."
"When have I ever been wrong?" she tilts her head, smirks.
"Plenty of times." I manage to chuckle. It's almost spiteful. My fingers find a loose splinter in the table and I pull at it until it breaks off.
"Thanks," I say.
"For what?"
- m.j.m
