issue tender_square she stood at the doorway to their bedroom, acting more casual than she felt inside. “i’m going to go to erin’s for tea to see her and meet her new dog tomorrow between 11 and 1. i figure you can come get me when we need to go to the grocery store to pick up our order?” he sat in bed, holding his laptop, dismay pausing across his face. “sure.” “are you sure?” “it’s…” he closed his eyes and shook his head. waved her off. “never mind.” she took two steps, her hands hugging the foot board’s curves. “no, what is it?” “nothing.” she cocked her head as she studied him. she perched at the edge of the mattress, rubbed his covered legs beneath the sheets. “tell me what’s going on.” “you’re just, making all these plans for things to do alone.” “honey, i haven’t seen erin since her christmas party.” “i know, it’s not that.” “is this because earlier i told you i was going to that art installation at umma next month?” “i just want to make sure that we’re doing things together. i’m just bringing it up because, you told me, in your last marriage you did whatever you wanted, you did things on your own all the time.” “i don’t think it is an issue between us. with brandon, i think we got into this rhythm of saying no to each other. at the beginning of our relationship, we said yes to everything the other person wanted to do, and the longer we were together, the more comfortable we felt doing things apart that interested us individually. you and i still do things together, that’s the difference.” “yeah, but those were all things i suggested. i feel like if i hadn’t asked, we wouldn’t do anything together.” “we watched a hockey game together earlier this week. i’m driving us out to novi this afternoon for you to get your skates. we watched that movie together last weekend. and, don’t forget, i asked if you wanted to see that movie at michigan theater but you said no because of covid—oh, and the djing!” she said. “wait—the djing was also your idea—but we’re going to be doing it!” her line of arguments weren’t persuading him of anything. his eyes searched her face for more. “i need to be able to do some things on my own sometimes. it’s been just you and i in this house for two years.” “i know, and i understand.” he reiterated, “i just don’t want this to become an issue between us.” 220212 what's it to you? who go blather from