Sampling Me and You
Hope #18: Unpretentious bites of improvised melodies
Recap: Escaping her life, the narrator has started a new one in a metropolis, where she can learn to be herself. Another day, another café, she spots an attractive guy reading the same book as her. Confident in her healing journey so far, she considers testing its lessons.
In the three blinks it took him to reciprocate, my previous life flashed behind my eyes. My insides contorted, and my face blanked. Preparing, customizing to needs.
“Please don’t reveal any spoilers,” he said, with a lopsided grin.
“Free up the rest of your evening and I won’t.”
We walked out of the building in aqueous motions, conversation hesitating merely for oxygen. Our footsteps matched, like notes forming a song, his following mine.
Luke didn’t bring a box and a Sharpie. Instead, we took turns reading new paragraphs. Over french fries, I realized I didn’t want to be anywhere else.
Author’s Notes:
The above (100-word) tale is from a series called Hope I’m creating with May More 💜. Originally published on Medium (2024), we’re rebuilding it on Substack with stratified flavors and (hopefully) minty reactions from you.
In my late 20s, whenever I spent time with someone, a friend or a person I was related to biologically, I couldn’t stop asking why. Did I genuinely enjoy their company?
Most people travel with labels and boxes. I’m the party girl, so how can I stop? I’m the serious co-worker, so my smoking a cigarette calls for a week-long discussion. A basic chick who likes Taylor Swift couldn’t possibly listen to The Ramones.
I dream in science fiction, but I haven’t watched Star Trek. Surely, that’s a massive lie.
Whenever I showed a new (to them) side of my personality, I could sense the incoming headache. Like it was too much information. Like I should’ve reverted to a familiar (to them) version of myself, to make it easier for everyone. Fit in with an easy smile.
Carrying yourself with confidence has side effects. It’s a social litmus test.
You get to know who deserves your attention. Those who offer you theirs, without any terms and conditions. Minds are open, canceling out expectations.
It makes me want to treat life like a giant improv show. Where we move minus tethers.
Click here for the series link. Find the previous episode below.
Turning the Page
Hope #17: I usually lose myself while reading, but on that day he became someone I didn’t want to ignore
" Preparing, customizing to needs."
This is a pivotal episode and that line above OMG its is the one that most women should have as their label. I mean how often have I done that - usually where men are concerned. Reading it this time really hit me.
" life flashed behind my eyes." There is gold in this line. I had the expectation of how it would play out in that nano-second before I got into the line and was delightfully surprised.