Definitely need to read that Lydia Davis story, so thanks for using it here. And for the question this week, well, been there, done that and it’s never an easy one when intentions - or feelings- aren’t crystal clear and can be easily misconstrued on either side. I too thought she might have led him on a bit until realising she didn’t really like him. A realisation perhaps made clear when the other person she is dating appeared in the picture, perhaps. Sometimes we think we like someone we spend regular time with until someone we really like comes out of nowhere and then it’s obvious we were only trying to find things to like in the other person.
I’m going to look! It reminds me of a short story by the Finnish writer Tove Jansson, which I’ve written about here on Substack. Dont’t want to clutter up your comments with links to my stuff, but now I imagine the two stories in conversation: what a fun combo!
One wonders if it is the woman he misses or the thrill of a crush. Because sometimes that is a form of addiction, ie be in love or be apathetic, one that constantly requires highs - though the lows can be devastating...
Interesting theory! You’re right, having a crush is the most intense and addictive feeling. In this instance I wondered if the pain was more about feeling as if someone had led you on, but you could be right.
That is what it sounded like, the leading on part, at first. But we usually read what we want to in someone's behaviour, so it could be he is an unreliable narrator!
Definitely need to read that Lydia Davis story, so thanks for using it here. And for the question this week, well, been there, done that and it’s never an easy one when intentions - or feelings- aren’t crystal clear and can be easily misconstrued on either side. I too thought she might have led him on a bit until realising she didn’t really like him. A realisation perhaps made clear when the other person she is dating appeared in the picture, perhaps. Sometimes we think we like someone we spend regular time with until someone we really like comes out of nowhere and then it’s obvious we were only trying to find things to like in the other person.
Marvelous! Will seek out that Lydia Davis story; have never encountered it, and it sounds intriguing.
She’s amazing! This story is from a collection called Break It Down. The stories are all very short, just a few pages.
I’m going to look! It reminds me of a short story by the Finnish writer Tove Jansson, which I’ve written about here on Substack. Dont’t want to clutter up your comments with links to my stuff, but now I imagine the two stories in conversation: what a fun combo!
One wonders if it is the woman he misses or the thrill of a crush. Because sometimes that is a form of addiction, ie be in love or be apathetic, one that constantly requires highs - though the lows can be devastating...
Interesting theory! You’re right, having a crush is the most intense and addictive feeling. In this instance I wondered if the pain was more about feeling as if someone had led you on, but you could be right.
That is what it sounded like, the leading on part, at first. But we usually read what we want to in someone's behaviour, so it could be he is an unreliable narrator!