clothing gja He said “those clothes look comfortable” and looked a little startled at himself before he’d even finished talking. He was looking down. He drew deeply on his smoke. We had never spoken about anything much other than the weather, quitting smoking and unpaid accounts before this. I was a little a taken back and plus I was distracted with thoughts of work and others. After all this was my moment’s reverie before plunging into the day. So I replied “well yes they are, but I can take no credit, my misuses buys all my clothes.” “Where did she get those pants? The waist band looks well made.” I was thinking: The waist band? What is it like? I haven’t noticed it being any different to any other. But instead said “I don’t know – she usually buys second hand; there is heaps of second hand shops over our way.” “Where is your way?” “Other side of the bridge, inner west.” “Oh – do those shops open weekends?” “I guess so” I replied “I’ll ask when I get home this evening and let you know if you like.” “Yeah that would be good – do you want to meet up if I’m over your way.” Stalling: “Ok.” Then backtracking “I’d better check our plans first.” “She does everything for you does she?” We are not quite there yet he and I. We are still talking about clothing. 101028 ... tender_square she tells me she’s spending because she’s stressed about money—a contradiction she’s aware of but isn’t stopping. she texts to say she’s been shopping again and details her purchases. i’ve stopped giving heart and thumbs-up reactions, replacing them with the exclamation points (my subtle way of saying “i can’t believe you’re doing this again” when i’m no better). during my sitcom bingeing there’s a credit card commercial on repeat, and a woman steps into an elevator wearing a colourful pleated midi skirt with a blazer and heels. and after seeing this outfit for the twentieth time, i’m window shopping on sites looking for a similar skirt, even though i already possess three in that style that are hardly used. i save my fulfilled searches on wish lists as just-in-case needs, which sometimes satisfies in place of spending. there’s the safety of knowing those items have been found, and time often stretches so that those pieces become sold out and the urge to have them passes. “are we the worst?” i message back to her. when does it cross the line into enabling? her mother shops as a way to escape reality, hording all she will never be able to wear, every inch of space in her car and her apartment teeming with stuff. my friend answers, “probably. but i’m enjoying my wardrobe.” 221127 what's it to you? who go blather from