At our very first meeting, Juliet Schwarz turned to Rachel and asked if she loved me and, if yes, what it was about me that she loved. Objection! I felt like shouting to this rotten, terrifying interrogation.
It was not the case that I’d heroically bowled her over (my hope) or that she’d tragically decided to settle for a reliable man (my fear). She had stayed married to me,
she stated in the presence of Juliet Schwarz, because she felt a responsibility to see me through life, and the responsibility felt like a happy one.
Juliet turned her head. ‘Hans.’
I couldn’t speak. My wife’s words had overwhelmed me. She had put it into words – indeed into reality – exactly how I felt.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Same here.’
It was not the case that I’d heroically bowled her over (my hope) or that she’d tragically decided to settle for a reliable man (my fear). She had stayed married to me,
she stated in the presence of Juliet Schwarz, because she felt a responsibility to see me through life, and the responsibility felt like a happy one.Juliet turned her head. ‘Hans.’
I couldn’t speak. My wife’s words had overwhelmed me. She had put it into words – indeed into reality – exactly how I felt.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Same here.’
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