The Chair He Bought, The Dog They Tried to Take, and the Choice

He turned away quickly like a boy caught crying.

“I just…” he swallowed. “I didn’t want to lose you.”

My chest tightened.

I realized something painful:

Michael wasn’t trying to hurt me.

He was trying to prevent future pain by amputating present love.

A very American strategy.

Control the mess.

Avoid the heartbreak.

Optimize grief.

But grief isn’t a spreadsheet.continue reading …