Memphis
Just so I could be weird again when I show up at your door in the middle of the night?
Me
I’d be bored out of my mind if you were normal.
Memphis
I’m glad the tremendous anxiety that you give me is at least entertaining for you.
Me
Tell me how to stop making you anxious and I’ll do it.
I’d much rather be your safe place, angel.
Memphis
That. That’s the stuff that gives me anxiety. All of it.
Nothing but anxiety.
Me
That’s not anxiety, baby.
Those are butterflies.
Big difference.
Memphis
Is there a difference though? Because they both make me feel sick.
Me
But you hate the way one makes you feel.
And you keep texting me because you like the other.
She was quiet for a long time after that, and I started to wonder if I’d scared her off for the night just that quickly. She always handled it better when she could talk to me without having to look at me, so texting her seemed like the obvious solution, but even that apparently had its limits.
Memphis
I’m sorry I’m not better at this.
I don’t know what I’m doing.
Me
You don’t have to. I know what I’m doing.
Memphis
That’s still stressful because I’m really not so good with not being in control.
Me