new_phase tender_square “you know, i emailed the church to find out about volunteering.” he was at the counter, stirring a bowl of black beans and yellow cheese, dropping the point so casually. she had suspected this already. she thought she had seen him typing the email in bed while she read beside him the night prior. his typing seemed exaggerated at the time, as though he were trying to get her attention, to pique her interest so she would ask who he was writing to. “did you hear back from them yet?” “no.” “when did you message them?” “last night.” “what prompted that?” “i’ve been wanting to do it for a while and i just figured it was time.” “huh.” she waited a beat. then she realized he was may have been waiting for her approval. “i think that’s really great,” she reasoned. he sat on a stool, conversing with her back as she stirred yolk over heat. “when i first moved here, it felt like this new phase in my life,” he said. “and it just feels like i’m coming back to that.” “so, you feel like you’re entering into a new phase right now?” “yeah, i do.” “huh.” 220824 ... tender_square "they're so uncomfortable," he said, shifting in his seat. "uh, yeah." she snapped the dial of the stove's open flame out. "but they're also necessary." 220824 what's it to you? who go blather from