That

by R M Murray

Yes, that conversation about our ex-es.
How many? She asks.
I say, not that many.
What does that mean?
It means what it says. What I just said.
No. That. That qualification. What does that mean?
I shrug. That many.
How many is that?
That isn’t a number. It’s relative.
To what?
To what you think is ‘a lot’.
Is that what you were going to say?
What? I haven’t said it yet.
Say it then.
No. You go first.
If I say it, you’ll just adjust to what I said
No. I’ll be honest.
How will I know you’re being honest?
It’s called trust. Without that there’s nothing.
There. That’s the proof you’re hiding something.