The Conversation

Anna Milograno
Aug 26, 2017 · 3 min read

I’m jostled awake from my nap when she flops down onto the couch. I cock an eyebrow in her direction. Stephanie looks down the hall and then glances back at me.

“Okay,” she says as if trying to convince herself to speak. “Okay, just hear me out…I really like Brian — like a lot.”

I glance down the hall where the bathroom light shines underneath the closed door. I remembered the big ice cream he just ate and knew he’d be MIA for a bit.

“And we’ve been together for a year now,” she continues. “And I think it’s time for the next step, but…I just don’t know!”

I let out a sigh. It’s a conversation about my best friend I’ve become all too familiar with.

Unfazed, she plows ahead, “He’s kind, supportive of my dreams. He’s the kinda guy I can see myself with ten — twenty years down the road. I care about what he’s going through too. Like when he lost his job, and even though that really sucked, I really liked that I could…I don’t know…be there for him.” She sinks deeper into the couch.

I was there for him too, you know, I think.

“And, we like each others families, which is huge! Tristan, you remember Tristan, huh? He can’t stand his sisters-in-law. Says they shriek when they laugh and they always make it about them during family events. So the fact that I like Brian’s family, and he likes mine — huge.”

However…

“We both travel a lot for work, but we’re used to that. We know how to make a long distance relationship work. You Skype weekly, text every day, and call each other before bed. That’s just you have to do. And it’s worth it. But…”

Wait for it…

“But what about when we have kids?”

Bingo.

“Who stays home to watch the kids?”

Not me.

“I’m finally moving up in my field. After putting up with all those jokes about not being qualified or just another pretty face, I am not giving it up to have kids. I mean, I love kids!”

They stink and have sticky hands.

“But I like that I can give them back to their parents when they’re annoying.”

Their crying hurts my ears.

Stephanie buries her head in her hands and groans in frustration. “Ugh! I just want to be married!” She glances down at me. “What do you think? You mind having a couple tiny humans wandering around here?”

Before I can answer the toilet flushes down the hall. I snort as I jump off the couch (annoyed that Stephanie and Brian might produce loud, little, sticky humans) when the bathroom door opens.

Brian bends down to rub the fur between my ears. “Spot, wanna go out?” he asks.

Race you to the door!


This story has most certainly taken on a life of its own, but I cannot fail to say it was inspired by The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale The Maid of Brakel as fairy tales were some of my first and most beloved stories.

)
Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade