I have never been the kind of person that likes to have a lot of people around but the people I choose to let in quickly become my world, so I choose carefully.
Growing up, I met my favorite people in places that didn’t overlap. Three doors up best friend, high school best friend, college roommate – my favorite people. My belly would turn in knots for all of the firsts of one meeting the other because sometimes I wanted all of my favorite people in a room with me for the things I was most excited about. Each person highlighted a different side of me, let me try on a new role, and I was about to have to fuse into one person – terrifying. The people I love most have always made me feel safe though, so I always made it through.
As my son, favorite person under 4′, drills me with an interrogation about my boyfriend, favorite person above, I remember that there have been times that I fused roles without the world ending. Maybe I’ll be able to do it again even though, in the moment, I’m pretty sure the world is going to end.
Meeting
my boyfriend met my son
my son met my boyfriend
my two favorite people
were in the same room
at the same time
I didn’t barf
I didn’t explode
the world didn’t end
no one got hurt
I’ll see them again
in the same room
next time
I won’t be so scared
calm, unlikely
but not scared
Much love, until next time.
Madeline May I... 