rings tender_square there’s rings of pink and black dots constellating in the toilet bowl. she shuts the lid to keep the musk out, ignoring the grime with every flush. she doesn’t have to stand there and stare at it while pissing like he does. the mirrors have splashes of dried toothpaste and the tub has patches of browning soap scum. with each passing day, she anticipates the remark “that bathroom really needs to be cleaned” so she can say “the supplies are in the basement, have at it.” she can’t tell what’s more aggravating, that he doesn’t notice the filth they’re living in, or that he doesn’t care. 220619 ... tender_square “would you be alright if i took my ring off?” he asked. “it’s really a personal choice that belongs to you,” she said. “that week we were apart, i had taken it off for several periods. i tried not to wear it this past week, but i found it was more comforting to keep it on, so i did.” “i bought some windex while you were gone…to see.” it was the only way to remove the ring from his finger, the knuckle bulged around the band of gold and silver. “you mean, to see if it would come off?” “yeah, and it did but i didn’t take it all the way off my finger. just to here,” he pointed below his fingernail. “you know, for all the years we’ve been married, i’ve only taken my ring off once. can you guess when?” she thought for a moment. “it was during your surgery, you had to.” “yeah,” he nodded. “you’ve taken your ring off more though, right?” “yeah, anytime i was putting on hand lotion, any time i was touching raw fish or cooking with dough,” she said. “i will say, it’s weird being without it. i felt really self-conscious, as though people we’re looking at me and knew.” “like, men?” “that’s sort of part of it. like, i worry now, as a woman, about being bothered if i don’t have a ring on. it makes me feel less safe in the world…” “because a ring is a symbol that you’re off-limits…” “yes. you know, i may wear continue to wear one even after if it helps me feel more safe on my own.” later, in the kitchen, he soaked his hand in a cup of cold water for several minutes. then, he removed his band for good. she found a small velvet bag for him to keep it in, the band that once belonged to her father. 221206 what's it to you? who go blather from