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Grand Gesture Gone Flawed
A month into relationship, Paul stood on a treehouse platform and declared, “You might be my penultimate girlfriend!” I requested, “What does that imply to you?” “You might be my tremendous, final girlfriend,” he responded, holding his arms out to the sky. A former Hollywood producer, Paul had a aptitude for grand gestures. On paper, we have been excellent: two middle-aged Asian People who beloved artwork and journey. However I couldn’t mirror his enthusiasm. “That’s not what it means,” I stated, deciding that our time collectively was over. Paul’s misuse of the phrase “penultimate” freed me from the spell of the “excellent.” — Amanda Mei Kim
My Father’s Mug
My father opened his condominium door and held out a espresso mug. “It’s a good looking cup!” he stated. “It is advisable to take it.” I wheeled my suitcase into the visitor room. “Take the cup!” he stated, following behind. I informed him I didn’t want it. After three days of him regularly providing “the cup,” which was actually a mug, I accepted. It was a thanks present he had obtained for donating cash to a distinguished L.G.B.T.Q. group. I by no means got here out to my father, however I lastly understood: He knew and was pleased with me. — Lori Horvitz
Stella by Starlight
For the final 20 years, I’ve woken as much as an occasional offended glare from my spouse. “What’s mistaken?” I’d ask. “It was Stella once more!” she’d reply, clearly harm. Surprisingly, her desires of infidelity at all times included a girl named Stella, who had led me astray. I’ve at all times been trustworthy and didn’t know any Stellas however promised to run if I ever encountered one. Final week, our son returned house and talked about the identify of his new love curiosity, Stella. Dream thriller solved: Stella was pursuing the opposite man my spouse loves a lot, her son! — David Cooke
Therapeutic Household Wounds
Fifty years in the past, our moms’ bitter estrangement divided us daughters. However after I expressed sympathy over her mom’s demise, my cousin mailed me a sprig of an aloe vera plant as a peace providing. Our shared great-grandmother had carried the unique plant when she fled Lithuania for America in 1920. She gave plant cuttings to her rising household. My mom’s part died. For some time, the chopping my cousin despatched me appeared like it could die, too — however then, a inexperienced shoot bloomed. My cousin and I reunited to have a good time; our department of the household tree will regenerate. — Melanie Chartoff
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