Gossip — Long-Sleeve Tee

Your friend begins by saying that none of this is really any of their business. This is how you know you should sit down. They have brought context, a chronology, and the expression they get when someone has behaved in a way that will require several impressions.

The story concerns a dinner. Most stories do, eventually. Somebody suggested that everybody cook together, then spent the evening explaining where things were while holding a glass. Somebody else brought a dessert that was apparently intended to be admired by fewer people than had been invited. You know neither of them well enough to have an informed opinion. Your friend is making admirable progress toward correcting that.

You like hearing them tell it. You like the sudden change of voice when they reach the important bit, the pause to make sure you understand how the dessert arrived, the indignation temporarily interrupted by remembering that it was actually quite good. This is the person you hoped would be there when you put on the pale long sleeve and left the house. An agreeable amount of attention. A little room for your own contributions.

Naturally, you have a similar story. It is shorter, you say, before discovering three people whose involvement needs explaining. Your friend moves their cup and leans back. They have been waiting very patiently for you to become the sort of person who knows things. Halfway through, you remember the name of the dessert. This improves your account considerably.

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