She Tried to Control the Ending — I Walked Away Without a Scene - video Dailymotion

Lost Love Chronicles

She Tried to Control the Ending — I Walked Away Without a Scene  This story is about what happens when someone tries to control the narrative — and loses control of the person. I lived a quiet, stable life. Bowling nights. Long workdays. No drama. She lived for momentum, visibility, and optics. When she decided I no longer fit the version of her future she wanted to sell, she planned the breakup like an event — location chosen, audience seated, phones recording. What she didn’t plan for was silence. This isn’t a story about shouting, revenge, or winning an argument. It’s about choosing calm when someone expects collapse — and how walking away without a scene can be the most powerful response. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons or events is coincidental.  #storytime  #EmotionalIntelligence #SilentStrength

Transcript

00:00:00Hello and welcome to Lost Love Chronicles.

00:00:03I didn't realize the breakup was being filmed, until I saw the phones.

00:00:07Not one, two, propped up on water glasses, angled just enough to look innocent.

00:00:12She told me dinner was about reconnecting.

00:00:14Turns out it was about controlling how the ending looked.

00:00:17Her friends were ready.

00:00:18She had a speech prepared.

00:00:19They expected tears, anger, begging.

00:00:22Instead, I asked one question, and when I stood up and walked out without raising my

00:00:26voice, the entire plan collapsed.

00:00:28Because when someone builds a scene, and you refuse to perform, that's when they lose

00:00:33control.

00:00:34Chapter 1.

00:00:34The Man Who Fixed Things

00:00:35Machines didn't care who I was.

00:00:37They didn't care if I'd had a bad week, if my girlfriend was mad, if my boss had a vision,

00:00:42or if I'd read a motivational quote and decided to reinvent myself before lunch.

00:00:47A hydraulic pump either held pressure, or it didn't.

00:00:50That was it.

00:00:51I was 29 and based out of Tacoma, Washington.

00:00:54My job title was heavy machine engineer, which sounded like I built robots for NASA.

00:00:59In reality, I spent most of my time inside engine housings and hydraulic systems, figuring

00:01:04out what failed and why.

00:01:05Compressors, lifts, industrial equipment.

00:01:08Machines that cost too much and broke at the worst possible time.

00:01:12That Monday, I was on site at an industrial yard near Fife.

00:01:15It smelled like diesel and wet gravel.

00:01:17I got out of my truck and grabbed my tools.

00:01:20My co-worker Ryan was already there, leaning against a stack of pallets like he'd been waiting

00:01:24to be impressed.

00:01:25He nodded at me.

00:01:26You ready?

00:01:27I looked at the battered lift in front of us.

00:01:29Ready to be disappointed?

00:01:30Always.

00:01:31Ryan grinned.

00:01:32Boss said it's acting weird.

00:01:34Machines don't act, I said.

00:01:35They fail.

00:01:36He laughed like he'd heard that before.

00:01:38He had.

00:01:39We walked over.

00:01:40I opened the panel and listened.

00:01:42You weren't just fixing things in this job.

00:01:44You were paying attention.

00:01:45The sound.

00:01:46The hesitation.

00:01:47The little signs a problem was building.

00:01:49I found the leak in under five minutes.

00:01:51A hairline crack in a hose that should have been replaced months ago.

00:01:55Ryan whistled.

00:01:56Good eye.

00:01:56It's not an eye, I said.

00:01:58It's pattern recognition and low tolerance for mystery.

00:02:01Ryan laughed again.

00:02:02Simple men liked simple answers.

00:02:04My dad would have approved.

00:02:06My father, Robert Jackson, had been a union pipe fitter for over 30 years.

00:02:10His hand stayed scarred.

00:02:12His back stayed tired.

00:02:13His pride stayed intact.

00:02:14He didn't complain.

00:02:16Not because he was trying to prove something.

00:02:17He just didn't waste words.

00:02:19When I was 16, I asked him why he never called in sick.

00:02:22He stared at me like the question didn't make sense.

00:02:25People count on you, he said.

00:02:27That's the job.

00:02:28Then he took a sip of coffee and added, show up.

00:02:30Do it right.

00:02:31Don't make it a personality.

00:02:33That was the world I came from.

00:02:34Competence mattered.

00:02:36Reliability mattered.

00:02:37Nobody celebrated it.

00:02:38Things just stayed standing.

00:02:39That was enough.

00:02:40My life looked exactly like you'd expect.

00:02:43A modest house.

00:02:44Two bedrooms.

00:02:45One bathroom.

00:02:46A small backyard I kept promising myself I'd do something with.

00:02:49A dependable pickup.

00:02:51A few scratches.

00:02:52It wasn't trying to impress anyone.

00:02:54It started every morning.

00:02:55Which was more than I could say for most relationships I'd try to keep alive past six months.

00:03:00And every Thursday night, no matter what happened during the week, I had bowling at Harbor Lanes.

00:03:05Same group.

00:03:06Same lanes.

00:03:07Same food that had no health benefits.

00:03:09Same bartender who knew our orders without asking.

00:03:12People changed jobs.

00:03:13People got married.

00:03:14People got divorced.

00:03:15People pretended they were doing keto.

00:03:17Harbor Lanes stayed exactly the same.

00:03:19If that sounded boring, good.

00:03:21Boring was stable.

00:03:22Boring meant nothing was falling apart.

00:03:24The internet didn't understand that.

00:03:26Stability didn't trend.

00:03:27Come didn't get applause.

00:03:28But I wasn't unhappy.

00:03:30My life didn't feel small.

00:03:31It felt finished in the right places and unfinished in ways that didn't scare me.

00:03:36I didn't wake up needing attention.

00:03:37I woke up needing coffee.

00:03:39That afternoon, my supervisor Dave called while I was cleaning up.

00:03:42Dave wasn't dramatic.

00:03:43He ran projects by keeping things moving and keeping paperwork clean.

00:03:47Jackson, he said, you free tomorrow morning?

00:03:50Depends, I said.

00:03:52Are you asking like a friend or like a man about to ruin my plans?

00:03:55He sighed.

00:03:56Commercial site in Tacoma.

00:03:58Compressor won't start.

00:03:59That narrows it down to all of them.

00:04:01You want the overtime or not?

00:04:03I wiped my hands and looked at the machine we just fixed.

00:04:06Yeah.

00:04:07Send the address.

00:04:08That was how my life worked.

00:04:09Someone sent coordinates.

00:04:10I showed up.

00:04:11I fixed what I could.

00:04:13I didn't spend time wondering if I was living my truth.

00:04:15I was busy solving problems that had real causes.

00:04:18When I got home, I kicked off my boots by the door.

00:04:21The house was quiet and it didn't bother me.

00:04:23I made dinner that wouldn't impress anyone.

00:04:26Chicken, rice, and a vegetable I barely cared about.

00:04:29I ate standing up.

00:04:30My phone buzzed.

00:04:31Ryan.

00:04:32Bowling Thursday, he texted.

00:04:34Don't be late.

00:04:35I typed back.

00:04:36If I'm late, it's because I'm carrying this league.

00:04:39Another buzz.

00:04:40My dad.

00:04:41You working too much?

00:04:42He wrote.

00:04:42I stared at it for a second, then replied.

00:04:45You literally invented working too much.

00:04:4810 minutes later, he sent one word.

00:04:50Yeah.

00:04:50That was basically affection in our family.

00:04:52Later, I sat on the couch with a soda and watched a baseball game I didn't care about

00:04:57that much.

00:04:58I liked the routine more than the sport.

00:05:00A lot of people chased success and status like it was oxygen.

00:05:03I was sitting in Tacoma, watching men swing bats for millions of dollars, and I felt fine.

00:05:08If someone had told me that this stable, simple life would eventually make me incompatible

00:05:13with someone who mistook calm for stagnation, I would have laughed.

00:05:16Not because it was funny.

00:05:18Because it sounded impossible.

00:05:19I believed good work, done consistently, was enough to build a good life.

00:05:24I believed showing up mattered.

00:05:25I was wrong.

00:05:26Just not for the reason she would later insist.

00:05:29Chapter 2.

00:05:29A Girl from North of the Traffic

00:05:31I met Brooklyn Floris at a Mariner's game because Ryan had extra tickets.

00:05:35That morning at the yard, he held them out like he was doing charity work.

00:05:39Two seats along third base, he said.

00:05:41My brother bailed.

00:05:42You want him?

00:05:43I stared at him.

00:05:44Why?

00:05:45Because you never do anything.

00:05:46He said.

00:05:47I do things.

00:05:48Ryan snorted.

00:05:49You fix machines and go bowling.

00:05:51That's maintenance.

00:05:52Maintenance keeps things running, I said.

00:05:55He leaned closer.

00:05:56Go.

00:05:56You might meet a woman.

00:05:58At a baseball game.

00:05:59Yeah.

00:05:59It's full of women.

00:06:01It's full of people sitting for three hours.

00:06:03Ryan pointed at me.

00:06:04That attitude is why you're single.

00:06:06I'm single because I have peace.

00:06:08He shoved the tickets into my chest.

00:06:10Take the peace north.

00:06:117 o'clock.

00:06:12And don't wear your work hoodie.

00:06:14Against my better judgment, I went.

00:06:15Seattle and late summer looked like a different city.

00:06:18It was warm.

00:06:19The sun was out.

00:06:20And everyone acted like it would stay that way forever.

00:06:22The stadium was packed.

00:06:24Real fans.

00:06:25Casual fans.

00:06:26And people who were mainly there for beer.

00:06:28I found my seat and sat down.

00:06:30A few seconds later, the woman next to me sat too.

00:06:32Fast.

00:06:33Confident.

00:06:34Like she belonged there.

00:06:35She smiled.

00:06:36Hi.

00:06:37Hey, I said.

00:06:38She glanced at the empty seat on the other side of me.

00:06:40Your friend running late?

00:06:42No, I said.

00:06:43He bailed and upgraded my loneliness.

00:06:45She laughed immediately.

00:06:46That's tragic.

00:06:48It's fine, I said.

00:06:49I like baseball.

00:06:50She tilted her head.

00:06:51Do you?

00:06:52I paused.

00:06:53I like sitting.

00:06:54And hot dogs.

00:06:55She nodded like she respected the honesty.

00:06:57Fair.

00:06:58We watched warm-ups for a moment.

00:07:00Then she asked.

00:07:01So how'd you end up with good seats?

00:07:02Co-worker had extra tickets, I said.

00:07:05That's the whole story.

00:07:06She smiled.

00:07:07You're from Tacoma?

00:07:08I looked at her.

00:07:09How'd you know that?

00:07:10You have Tacoma energy, she said.

00:07:12What does that mean?

00:07:13It means you look like you fix things, she said.

00:07:16And you don't talk about it.

00:07:17That hit close enough.

00:07:18I cleared my throat.

00:07:19So you're either psychic or you've dated someone who owns tools.

00:07:23Both, she said, and held out her hand.

00:07:25Brooklyn.

00:07:26Christian.

00:07:27I said, shaking it.

00:07:28Her handshake was firm and deliberate.

00:07:30Like she didn't waste motion.

00:07:32She lived in Seattle and worked downtown in public relations.

00:07:35P.R., she said.

00:07:36Corporate clients.

00:07:37Strategy.

00:07:38Crisis management.

00:07:40Brand positioning.

00:07:41I blinked slowly.

00:07:42That sounds exhausting.

00:07:43It is, she said.

00:07:44But I'm good at it.

00:07:46No fake modesty.

00:07:47Just confidence.

00:07:48What about you?

00:07:49She asked.

00:07:50What do you do?

00:07:50Heavy equipment, I said.

00:07:52She didn't do the polite nod people do when they don't care.

00:07:55She asked.

00:07:56Like construction equipment?

00:07:58Industrial and commercial, I said.

00:08:00Anything that breaks and costs people money.

00:08:02Her eyes narrowed slightly.

00:08:04That's actually kind of hot.

00:08:05I almost choked on my drink.

00:08:07People don't usually say that.

00:08:09I like capable men, she said.

00:08:11Capable is a dangerous word, I said.

00:08:13She smiled.

00:08:14Why?

00:08:15Because people think it means I should fix everything, I said.

00:08:18Even stuff that doesn't come with instructions.

00:08:21Brooklyn laughed.

00:08:21Loud enough that people nearby turned their heads.

00:08:24I noticed it, but I didn't mind it.

00:08:26Not then.

00:08:27We talked through the game.

00:08:28Nothing heavy.

00:08:29Nothing dramatic.

00:08:30It was easy.

00:08:31She asked real questions about my job.

00:08:33What's the worst failure you've seen?

00:08:34She asked.

00:08:35That's a real question, I said.

00:08:37I only ask real ones, she replied.

00:08:40So I told her about compressors failing, hydraulic systems collapsing, and people acting

00:08:44shocked when maintenance got skipped.

00:08:46She listened like she meant it.

00:08:47When I finished, she said, so you basically keep everything from falling apart.

00:08:52I keep it from getting worse, I said.

00:08:54She looked at me seriously.

00:08:56That's impressive.

00:08:56Then she added, softer.

00:08:58It must feel good.

00:08:59Fixing things.

00:09:00I didn't know what to do with sincerity, so I said, yeah.

00:09:04Until you get home, and your printer won't work.

00:09:06Brooklyn laughed again.

00:09:07Then she said, men like you make me feel safe.

00:09:10It sounded like something that could have been rehearsed.

00:09:13But it didn't feel fake.

00:09:14And I believed her.

00:09:15After the seventh inning stretch, she leaned over.

00:09:18Do you come to games often?

00:09:19She asked.

00:09:20This is my first time in years, I said.

00:09:23Why?

00:09:23I'm busy.

00:09:24With what?

00:09:25Work.

00:09:25Bowling.

00:09:26Staying alive.

00:09:27She smiled.

00:09:28Bowling.

00:09:29Thursday nights, I said.

00:09:31Harbor lanes.

00:09:32Tacoma.

00:09:32That's cute, she said.

00:09:34It's tradition.

00:09:35I corrected.

00:09:36She held up both hands.

00:09:37Okay.

00:09:38Tradition.

00:09:39I'm not sure bowling is masculine, I said.

00:09:41It's mostly middle-aged men complaining about their backs.

00:09:44That's masculinity, she said.

00:09:46I laughed.

00:09:47Quiet and real.

00:09:48When the game ended, we walked out with the crowd.

00:09:50Outside, the city was loud and warm.

00:09:53Brooklyn looked at me.

00:09:54You driving back to Tacoma tonight?

00:09:56Yeah, I said.

00:09:57Unless Seattle kidnaps me.

00:09:59She smiled.

00:10:00It might.

00:10:01We charge $9 for coffee and call it culture.

00:10:04Tempting, I said.

00:10:05She hesitated for a beat, then asked.

00:10:07Do you want to get a drink sometime?

00:10:09No, maybe.

00:10:10No small talk.

00:10:11Just direct.

00:10:12I do, I said.

00:10:13Okay.

00:10:13She said, pulling out her phone.

00:10:15Give me your number.

00:10:16I gave it to her, and my phone buzzed a second later.

00:10:19Her text read, now you can't pretend this didn't happen.

00:10:22I smirked and typed back.

00:10:24I wouldn't waste good tickets on a hallucination.

00:10:26She laughed.

00:10:27Good.

00:10:28Because I'm not.

00:10:29The drive home felt longer, not because of traffic, but because I kept replaying the

00:10:33night.

00:10:34Everything about her was smooth.

00:10:35Polished.

00:10:36Controlled.

00:10:37But it wasn't cold.

00:10:38She was the opposite of my world.

00:10:40I dealt with machines and failure reports.

00:10:42Brooklyn dealt with people and perception.

00:10:44And at the time, it felt like it could work.

00:10:47Like we could balance each other out.

00:10:48At first, the distance didn't seem like a problem.

00:10:51Tacoma to Seattle was 40 minutes without traffic.

00:10:54An hour and a half when the freeway hated you.

00:10:56We rotated the drives.

00:10:58I went north after work.

00:10:59She came south on weekends.

00:11:01Sometimes we met halfway and pretended it was romantic.

00:11:04When I showed up after work, Brooklyn would open the door and step back.

00:11:08Christian, she'd say.

00:11:10You smell like an engine.

00:11:11That's because I've been inside one, I'd say.

00:11:14She'd laugh.

00:11:15Go shower.

00:11:15You're not sitting on my couch like that.

00:11:17Your couch will survive.

00:11:19I'd tell her.

00:11:20I'm sure it will, she'd say.

00:11:21But I won't.

00:11:22She liked me.

00:11:23But she liked me cleaned up.

00:11:24Those first two years stayed simple.

00:11:26Dinners.

00:11:27Movie nights.

00:11:28Talking until midnight without taking pictures.

00:11:31Brooklyn told me about work.

00:11:32I told her about machines.

00:11:34She laughed at my cynicism.

00:11:35I respected her energy.

00:11:37It worked.

00:11:38She came to my bowling league a few times early on.

00:11:40Harbor lanes wasn't fancy.

00:11:42It was routine.

00:11:43That was the point.

00:11:44Brooklyn walked in, smiled, and tried.

00:11:46Ryan saw her, and whistled.

00:11:48Oh.

00:11:48Christian brought a real person.

00:11:50Brooklyn smiled.

00:11:51Hi.

00:11:52I'm Brooklyn.

00:11:53Ryan leaned forward.

00:11:54You're way too pretty to be here.

00:11:55Brooklyn laughed, loud enough to turn heads.

00:11:58Matt waved from Arlene.

00:11:59Who's this?

00:12:00My girlfriend, I said.

00:12:02Saying it out loud felt like a win.

00:12:04Brooklyn cheered when I got strikes.

00:12:05When I threw a gutter ball, she gasped dramatically.

00:12:08Oh my god.

00:12:09Christian, are you okay?

00:12:11Ryan nearly dropped his beer laughing.

00:12:13He's fine.

00:12:13That's just how he bowls.

00:12:15Brooklyn leaned in.

00:12:16I thought you fixed things.

00:12:17I do, I said.

00:12:18This isn't broken.

00:12:19This is skill-based disappointment.

00:12:21She laughed, and it felt normal.

00:12:23But she never stayed long.

00:12:25She always left before the third game.

00:12:27I have an early morning, she'd say.

00:12:29And the drive.

00:12:30I know, I'd reply.

00:12:31Go.

00:12:32And she did.

00:12:33I told myself it was independence.

00:12:35I didn't realize people could leave early for reasons that had nothing to do with time.

00:12:39Back then, I didn't see it.

00:12:40I was still the kind of guy who believed showing up consistently was enough to keep someone around.

00:12:45I didn't know how many people confused Solid with Stuck.

00:12:48Chapter 3.

00:12:49Thursday nights never changed.

00:12:51Thursday nights belonged to Harbor Lanes.

00:12:53Not in a sentimental way.

00:12:55In a scheduling way.

00:12:56If something ended the world on a Thursday at 7.12pm, my last thought would have been that I didn't

00:13:01get to finish Game 3.

00:13:03Harbor Lanes sat off a road that always smelled like rain and fried food.

00:13:07The sign flickered.

00:13:07The parking lot was full of normal cars, dented trucks, worn-out sedans, one minivan that looked like it had

00:13:14survived a divorce.

00:13:15Inside, it was the same as it had been since high school.

00:13:18Same lanes.

00:13:19Same lockers.

00:13:20Same carpet.

00:13:21Same bartender who could pour a beer without speaking.

00:13:24The first sound wasn't music.

00:13:25It was bowling balls hitting wood and pins getting knocked around.

00:13:29Men yelled like it mattered.

00:13:30Ryan Colton was already there when I arrived.

00:13:32Beer in hand.

00:13:33Christian, he said, nodding at my shoes.

00:13:36Nice.

00:13:37You dress up for us.

00:13:38I wore clean socks.

00:13:39I said, don't demand miracles.

00:13:41Matt Alvarez sat tying his shoes like he was preparing for a real competition.

00:13:46Sean Whitaker was eating nachos like he wasn't afraid of consequences.

00:13:49That was my life right there.

00:13:51For men in our late 20s measuring time and injuries, hairlines, and how many times Ryan said he was going

00:13:57to start working out.

00:13:58We'd been bowling together since high school.

00:14:00We survived graduation, bad jobs, breakups.

00:14:03And that year Sean tried to sell life insurance like it was his personality.

00:14:07That was the point.

00:14:08Same routine.

00:14:09Matt asked.

00:14:10Same routine.

00:14:11I said.

00:14:12Ryan pointed at the scoreboard.

00:14:14Three games.

00:14:14No quitting.

00:14:15Sean lifted a fry like a toast.

00:14:17We die on this lane.

00:14:19Matt scoffed.

00:14:20You die walking to your car.

00:14:21Sean stared at him.

00:14:22Watch your tone.

00:14:23I grabbed my ball from the rack.

00:14:25Heavy.

00:14:26Scuffed.

00:14:26Reliable.

00:14:27The lanes were lit up.

00:14:28The oil pattern was fresh.

00:14:30Everything was ready for the same night we always had.

00:14:33This place didn't care about your job title or your relationship status.

00:14:36It just wanted you to roll the ball.

00:14:38We started with the usual conversation.

00:14:40Work.

00:14:41Complaints.

00:14:41Fake optimism.

00:14:42Ryan went first and threw a strike.

00:14:44He turned around like he'd done something heroic.

00:14:47That's how it's done.

00:14:48Matt clapped slowly.

00:14:49Incredible.

00:14:50You should put that on LinkedIn.

00:14:51Ryan smirked.

00:14:52Don't tempt me.

00:14:54I'll brand myself.

00:14:55Sean leaned forward.

00:14:56Chewing.

00:14:56You already did.

00:14:58It's called unemployed energy.

00:14:59Ryan shot him a look.

00:15:00I have a job.

00:15:02I complaining.

00:15:03Sean said.

00:15:03I rolled next.

00:15:05Strike.

00:15:05No celebration.

00:15:06No reaction.

00:15:07Matt shook his head.

00:15:08God.

00:15:09I hate the way you bowl.

00:15:10What do you mean?

00:15:11I asked.

00:15:12You bowl like you're paying bills.

00:15:14He said.

00:15:15No joy.

00:15:15I'm consistent.

00:15:16I said.

00:15:17That's joy in Tacoma.

00:15:19Ryan nodded.

00:15:19Amen.

00:15:20We played through the first game and the week faded out.

00:15:23The ball rolled.

00:15:24Pins fell.

00:15:24The world stayed predictable for a couple hours.

00:15:27Kids screamed near the arcade.

00:15:29Teenagers took selfies like it was their job.

00:15:31Sean ordered wings like he was feeding a family.

00:15:34The bartender dropped them off without conversation.

00:15:36Brooklyn came with me a few times early on.

00:15:38Not because she loved bowling.

00:15:40Because she was still trying to be part of my life.

00:15:42The first time she walked in, she looked around and paused.

00:15:45The lighting.

00:15:46The lanes.

00:15:47The smell of grease and disinfectant.

00:15:49The men in cargo shorts.

00:15:51She didn't look disgusted.

00:15:52She looked like she'd wandered into something she didn't fully understand.

00:15:56Ryan saw her and nudged me.

00:15:58Oh.

00:15:58Hello.

00:15:59Brooklyn smiled and walked up.

00:16:01Hi.

00:16:01I'm Brooklyn.

00:16:03Ryan straightened up.

00:16:04Ryan.

00:16:04Nice to meet you.

00:16:05Matt nodded.

00:16:06Matt.

00:16:07Sean wiped his hands and stood up to shake her hand like he was meeting someone important.

00:16:11Sean.

00:16:12Brooklyn shook their hands and turned to me.

00:16:14Low enough that only I could hear.

00:16:16Christian.

00:16:17This place is very Tacoma.

00:16:19What does that mean?

00:16:20I asked.

00:16:21She smiled.

00:16:21It's charming.

00:16:23Charming.

00:16:23I repeated.

00:16:24Like men who own toolboxes.

00:16:26She said.

00:16:27That's not charming.

00:16:28I said.

00:16:29That's necessary.

00:16:30Brooklyn laughed.

00:16:31It wasn't cruel.

00:16:32It was just how she talked about things that weren't hers.

00:16:34At the time, it felt like affection.

00:16:37She tried.

00:16:37I'll give her that.

00:16:38She sat on the bench.

00:16:40Cheered when I threw strikes.

00:16:41Laughed when Ryan talked trash.

00:16:43When I threw a gutter ball.

00:16:44She grabbed my arm dramatically.

00:16:46Oh my god.

00:16:47Are you okay?

00:16:48Matt leaned over.

00:16:49He's fine.

00:16:50He does that sometimes.

00:16:51Brooklyn looked at me.

00:16:52But you fix machines.

00:16:54Bowling isn't a machine.

00:16:55I said.

00:16:56It kind of is, she argued.

00:16:58No, I said.

00:16:58This is skill-based humiliation.

00:17:01Brooklyn laughed loud enough for people to look over.

00:17:03She didn't notice.

00:17:04She didn't care.

00:17:05I didn't mind it yet.

00:17:06It was different.

00:17:07It felt alive.

00:17:08But she always did the same thing.

00:17:10She stayed for two games.

00:17:12Then she checked the time.

00:17:13Oh, she'd say.

00:17:14It's getting late.

00:17:15Ryan would glance at the clock.

00:17:17It's nine.

00:17:18Brooklyn would tilt her head.

00:17:19Yeah.

00:17:20I have an early morning.

00:17:21Matt asked once.

00:17:22You don't want the third game?

00:17:23Brooklyn smiled politely.

00:17:25You guys have fun.

00:17:26She'd kiss my cheek.

00:17:27Text me when you're done.

00:17:28I would.

00:17:29She'd respond with a heart emoji like that was enough.

00:17:32Eventually she stopped coming.

00:17:33Not with a fight.

00:17:34Not with a dramatic conversation.

00:17:36Just slowly.

00:17:37One Thursday I asked.

00:17:38You want to come tonight?

00:17:39She made a face.

00:17:41Not annoyed.

00:17:41Not angry.

00:17:42Just uninterested.

00:17:43That stuff feels very Tacoma.

00:17:45She said again.

00:17:46It is Tacoma.

00:17:47I said.

00:17:48She shrugged.

00:17:49I know.

00:17:49It's just not really my thing.

00:17:51That's fine.

00:17:52I said.

00:17:53And I meant it.

00:17:53I believed adults could have separate routines.

00:17:56I believed stability was a good thing.

00:17:58I didn't push her.

00:17:59I didn't guilt her.

00:18:00I didn't make it a test.

00:18:01Harbor Lanes didn't need her approval.

00:18:03It existed because we showed up every week and did the same thing.

00:18:06On purpose.

00:18:07That night.

00:18:08Ryan leaned over between frames.

00:18:10Brooklyn not coming anymore.

00:18:12She's busy.

00:18:13I said.

00:18:13Busy doing what?

00:18:15Sean asked.

00:18:16Being Seattle.

00:18:16Matt said.

00:18:17Ryan grinned.

00:18:18You think she's too good for us now?

00:18:20She never acted like that.

00:18:22I said.

00:18:23Sean raised an eyebrow.

00:18:24She doesn't have to.

00:18:25Absence says enough.

00:18:26I rolled the ball.

00:18:27It clipped wrong.

00:18:28Spare.

00:18:29I sat down and exhaled.

00:18:30She's not a villain.

00:18:31I said.

00:18:32No one said she was.

00:18:33Matt replied.

00:18:34We're just saying she doesn't love this.

00:18:36She doesn't have to.

00:18:37I said.

00:18:38Ryan watched me for a second.

00:18:40Then nodded.

00:18:40Fair, he said.

00:18:42Just don't stop being you.

00:18:43I'm not stopping, I replied.

00:18:45Ryan lifted his beer.

00:18:46Good.

00:18:47And we kept bowling.

00:18:48Same lanes.

00:18:49Same lockers.

00:18:50Same bartender.

00:18:51The routine held.

00:18:52Even while everything else started shifting around my life.

00:18:55And at the time, I still thought that would be enough.

00:18:58That being steady would always count for something.

00:19:00I didn't know how quickly normal could become a problem.

00:19:03Chapter 4.

00:19:04Promotions change the weather.

00:19:06Brooklyn's promotion didn't feel like a celebration.

00:19:08It felt like a shift.

00:19:09It was early 2023 when she called me after work.

00:19:13Not texted.

00:19:13Not voice noted.

00:19:15A call.

00:19:15I was sitting in my truck outside a site in Tacoma, hands still smelling like hydraulic

00:19:20fluid.

00:19:20Her name popped up on my dash.

00:19:22Brooklyn.

00:19:23I answered.

00:19:23Hey.

00:19:24Hey, she said.

00:19:25I could hear the smile.

00:19:26Are you driving?

00:19:27Not yet, I said.

00:19:29I'm parked.

00:19:30Oh good, she replied.

00:19:31Okay.

00:19:32I got it.

00:19:32What did you get?

00:19:33A beat.

00:19:34Then, I got promoted.

00:19:36I sat up straighter.

00:19:37Yeah.

00:19:38Senior account strategist, she said.

00:19:40I whistled once.

00:19:41That sounds expensive.

00:19:42Brooklyn laughed.

00:19:43It's big.

00:19:44How big?

00:19:45Bigger clients.

00:19:46Bigger responsibility.

00:19:47I'm managing full accounts now.

00:19:49That's awesome, I said.

00:19:50I'm proud of you.

00:19:52She replied, softer.

00:19:54I knew you'd get it.

00:19:55I don't know what it means, I admitted.

00:19:57But I know it's good.

00:19:58It means I'm moving up, she said.

00:20:00The way she said it wasn't excited.

00:20:02It was decided that weekend we celebrated downtown Seattle at a place where the menu

00:20:06didn't list prices.

00:20:08Brooklyn wore a dress that got attention.

00:20:10I wore a clean button down and the expression of a man who knew this lighting wasn't meant

00:20:14for him.

00:20:14A waiter came over.

00:20:16Brooklyn smiled.

00:20:17I'll have the house spritz.

00:20:18The waiter turned to me.

00:20:20Beer, I said.

00:20:21Brooklyn looked at me.

00:20:22We're celebrating.

00:20:23I know, I replied.

00:20:24I'm celebrating with beer.

00:20:26She leaned in, smiling.

00:20:28Okay, Tacoma.

00:20:29Thank you, I said.

00:20:30Seattle.

00:20:31Brooklyn's phone lit up on the table.

00:20:33She glanced down.

00:20:34Oh, Kathy's calling.

00:20:35My friend.

00:20:36She added, tapping speakerphone.

00:20:38Kathy Reynolds came through loud.

00:20:40Brooklyn.

00:20:40Senior account strategist.

00:20:42Brooklyn laughed.

00:20:43Yes.

00:20:44This is huge, Kathy said.

00:20:46Like, this is the moment.

00:20:48Brooklyn shot me a quick look.

00:20:49Half warning, half amused.

00:20:51Kathy kept going.

00:20:52Where are we celebrating?

00:20:53Dinner?

00:20:54Drinks?

00:20:55Photos.

00:20:56Brooklyn glanced around the restaurant.

00:20:57I'm at dinner now.

00:20:58With who?

00:20:59Kathy asked.

00:21:00Christian.

00:21:01Brooklyn said, smiling at me.

00:21:03There was a small pause.

00:21:04Then Kathy said.

00:21:05Oh, yes.

00:21:06Christian.

00:21:07Hi, Christian.

00:21:08Hi, Kathy, I said.

00:21:09We'll do something proper soon.

00:21:11Kathy said.

00:21:12This deserves a real night.

00:21:13With content.

00:21:14With what?

00:21:15I asked.

00:21:16Brooklyn coughed like she was holding in a laugh.

00:21:18Kathy ignored me.

00:21:19Linda says you need to post tonight.

00:21:21You're going to inspire people.

00:21:23Brooklyn nodded.

00:21:24I'll post.

00:21:25Good.

00:21:25Kathy said.

00:21:26Love you.

00:21:26Don't let this go to waste.

00:21:28Brooklyn ended the call and put her phone down.

00:21:31I stared at it.

00:21:32What?

00:21:32She asked.

00:21:33Nothing.

00:21:33I said.

00:21:34I'm just trying to understand how a promotion can go to waste.

00:21:37Brooklyn grinned.

00:21:38You don't get it.

00:21:39I don't.

00:21:40I agreed.

00:21:41I fix machines.

00:21:42I don't market my life.

00:21:43She reached across the table and squeezed my hand.

00:21:46I like that about you, she said.

00:21:48That was the last time it sounded good.

00:21:49At first, the change was subtle.

00:21:51Brooklyn didn't become cruel overnight.

00:21:54She didn't scream.

00:21:55She didn't explode.

00:21:56She just started sounding different.

00:21:58She started using words like trajectory, momentum, visibility, brand, potential.

00:22:04Her work stories got bigger, more dramatic.

00:22:06This client is being impossible, she'd say, pacing with her laptop open.

00:22:11They want control, but they don't want accountability.

00:22:13I'd look up for my beer.

00:22:15So they're human.

00:22:16Brooklyn laughed.

00:22:17But her laugh started carrying stress.

00:22:19She got invited to more things.

00:22:21Work dinners.

00:22:22Networking events.

00:22:23Happy hours that lasted hours.

00:22:25She talked about co-workers I'd never met.

00:22:27So Jenna just bought a condo, she said one night.

00:22:30Capitol Hill.

00:22:31That's cool, I said.

00:22:32And Marcus launched a consulting thing, she continued.

00:22:35He's refusing to settle for corporate forever.

00:22:38Okay.

00:22:39And Alicia's doing a wellness retreat in Tulum.

00:22:41I stared at her.

00:22:42You sound like a magazine.

00:22:44Brooklyn smiled without looking up.

00:22:45It's just, people are doing things.

00:22:48You're doing things, I said.

00:22:49Yeah, she replied.

00:22:51But I mean bigger things.

00:22:52That was the first time I felt the gap open.

00:22:54Not dramatic.

00:22:55Just noticeable.

00:22:57Then Kathy and Linda showed up more.

00:22:58Not physically.

00:22:59Digitally.

00:23:00Always on speakerphone.

00:23:01Always in her messages.

00:23:03Linda's voice was softer than Kathy's.

00:23:05But it carried more pressure.

00:23:07One night.

00:23:07Brooklyn sat beside me on the couch.

00:23:09Phone in her hand.

00:23:10Half watching TV.

00:23:12Linda's voice came through.

00:23:13You have so much potential, Brooke.

00:23:15Brooklyn smiled at her screen.

00:23:17I know.

00:23:17And you can't waste it, Linda said.

00:23:19You're not one of those girls who peeks and then just lives.

00:23:23Brooklyn made a small sound.

00:23:24Linda continued.

00:23:25You need someone who matches your momentum.

00:23:27Someone who builds with you.

00:23:29Brooklyn glanced at me for half a second.

00:23:31Then back to her phone.

00:23:32Linda didn't say my name.

00:23:33She didn't have to.

00:23:34The phone became permanent.

00:23:36Not on the table.

00:23:37In her hand.

00:23:38She'd scroll while I talked.

00:23:39So today the compressor.

00:23:41I started once.

00:23:42Immimm.

00:23:43Brooklyn murmured.

00:23:44Eyes still on her screen.

00:23:45I paused.

00:23:46Brooklyn.

00:23:47Yeah.

00:23:47She said.

00:23:48Still not looking up.

00:23:49I waited until she finally looked at me.

00:23:51What?

00:23:52She asked.

00:23:52Honestly confused.

00:23:54Nothing.

00:23:54I said.

00:23:55I just wanted to see if you were here.

00:23:56Her face tightened.

00:23:58Don't do that.

00:23:59Do what?

00:23:59Make me feel like I'm doing something wrong.

00:24:01She said.

00:24:02I'm busy.

00:24:03I know.

00:24:03I said.

00:24:04I'm not mad.

00:24:05I'm just.

00:24:06You're just what?

00:24:07She asked quickly.

00:24:08I hesitated.

00:24:09And said it anyway.

00:24:10I miss you.

00:24:10Brooklyn exhaled like I'd asked too much.

00:24:13Christian.

00:24:13She said.

00:24:14I'm right here.

00:24:15You're physically here.

00:24:16I replied.

00:24:17Her eyes narrowed.

00:24:18That was new.

00:24:19Insecure.

00:24:20She said lightly.

00:24:21I'm not insecure.

00:24:22You are.

00:24:23She insisted.

00:24:24You just don't talk about feelings.

00:24:26I'm talking about feelings right now.

00:24:27I said.

00:24:28Brooklyn shook her head like I was exhausting her.

00:24:31I can't do this.

00:24:32She said.

00:24:33Do what?

00:24:33This constant need for reassurance.

00:24:35She replied.

00:24:36I blinked.

00:24:37Constant.

00:24:38Yes.

00:24:38She said.

00:24:39It's like you want me to stop my life because you're uncomfortable.

00:24:42That's not what I said.

00:24:43But it's what you mean.

00:24:44And that's how it started happening.

00:24:46I'd say one thing and she'd respond to something else.

00:24:49I tried to adjust.

00:24:50I drove north more.

00:24:51I offered to cook.

00:24:52I tried to be more present.

00:24:54I offered solutions like a man who still believed people wanted them.

00:24:57She said she was tired.

00:24:58I told her to rest.

00:25:00She said she was stressed.

00:25:01I asked what I could do.

00:25:02She kept looking at me like I wasn't understanding something obvious.

00:25:05One night, she paced her apartment, phone in hand, talking about a client crisis.

00:25:10They're spinning it wrong, she said.

00:25:12They're ruining the narrative.

00:25:14I leaned back on the couch.

00:25:15It's a product recall.

00:25:16The narrative is it exploded.

00:25:18Brooklyn shot me a look.

00:25:20Christian.

00:25:20What?

00:25:21I said.

00:25:22Exploding is bad.

00:25:23She pinched the bridge of her nose.

00:25:25You're not helping.

00:25:26I'm trying.

00:25:27No.

00:25:27She snapped.

00:25:28You're minimizing.

00:25:29I'm simplifying, I said.

00:25:31Because your job makes everything sound like war.

00:25:33It is war, she said.

00:25:35No.

00:25:36I replied quieter.

00:25:37It's public relations.

00:25:39She stared at me like I'd insulted her.

00:25:41The worst part wasn't the arguments.

00:25:43It was how quickly everything turned into a character judgment.

00:25:46If I asked what was wrong, I was suspicious.

00:25:48If I asked for reassurance, I was controlling.

00:25:51If I said I missed her, I was needy.

00:25:53And nothing stayed fixed.

00:25:54Not because I was doing it wrong.

00:25:56Because Brooklyn stopped hearing me as a partner

00:25:58and started hearing me as an obstacle.

00:26:00She didn't say it out loud yet.

00:26:02But I could feel what was coming.

00:26:04Chapter 5.

00:26:05Privacy Settings

00:26:06Suspicion didn't hit all at once.

00:26:08It didn't come with a big moment or a clear sign.

00:26:10It built slowly in small changes.

00:26:13At first it was just behavior.

00:26:15Not proof.

00:26:15Not a confession.

00:26:17Just patterns that didn't match the person I thought I knew.

00:26:19Brooklyn started guarding her phone.

00:26:21If she was scrolling and I walked into the room,

00:26:23the screen would tilt away slightly.

00:26:25Not fully hidden.

00:26:26Just enough.

00:26:27She started setting it face down on the table.

00:26:29That wasn't how she used to be.

00:26:31Brooklyn used to leave her phone anywhere.

00:26:33On the counter.

00:26:34On the couch.

00:26:35In the bathroom like it didn't matter.

00:26:37Now it stayed in her hand.

00:26:38Or under her leg.

00:26:40Or in her pocket.

00:26:41If it buzzed, she didn't glance down casually.

00:26:43She reacted fast and stood up.

00:26:45I'm gonna take this, she'd say, already moving.

00:26:48And she'd walk away to take the call.

00:26:50Bathroom.

00:26:51Balcony.

00:26:52Car.

00:26:52Once, she took a call sitting in her car with the engine running.

00:26:55She didn't go anywhere.

00:26:56She just stayed there.

00:26:58When she came back inside, she acted normal.

00:27:00Like nothing happened.

00:27:01That part bothered me the most.

00:27:03I noticed it.

00:27:04And then I couldn't unsee it.

00:27:05I tried not to turn into the guy who watched his girlfriend's phone.

00:27:08I didn't want to be suspicious.

00:27:10I didn't want to start guessing.

00:27:11But more changes showed up.

00:27:13Notifications disappeared from her lock screen.

00:27:15Her phone stayed on silent.

00:27:17And sometimes she'd smile while texting.

00:27:19Not a quick smile.

00:27:20A private one.

00:27:21The kind that didn't include me.

00:27:23One night we were at my place in Tacoma.

00:27:24Dinner was done.

00:27:25We'd watched half a movie without paying attention.

00:27:28Brooklyn sat on my couch with her phone in her hand.

00:27:31I got up to throw away a plate and came back.

00:27:33I saw it.

00:27:34Brooke, I said.

00:27:35She looked up.

00:27:36What?

00:27:36I kept my voice even.

00:27:38Why do you always do that?

00:27:39Her expression shifted immediately.

00:27:41Not guilty.

00:27:42Offended.

00:27:43What do you mean?

00:27:44She asked sharper.

00:27:45The phone, I said.

00:27:46Every time I walk in, you tilt it away.

00:27:49Brooklyn let out a short laugh.

00:27:51Oh my god.

00:27:52I'm asking, I said.

00:27:53That's all.

00:27:54She stared at me like she couldn't believe I said it.

00:27:56Christian, she said slowly.

00:27:58Do you hear yourself?

00:27:59Yes, I replied.

00:28:01I sound calm.

00:28:02You sound paranoid, she said.

00:28:04That word hit harder than it should have.

00:28:06Paranoid.

00:28:06I repeated.

00:28:07Yes, she said.

00:28:09Like you're looking for something.

00:28:10I'm noticing something, I said.

00:28:12Brooklyn shook her head like I was embarrassing both of us.

00:28:15Wow, she said.

00:28:16So you don't trust me?

00:28:17I didn't say that.

00:28:18But you mean it, she replied.

00:28:20You're accusing me.

00:28:21I'm not accusing you of anything, I said.

00:28:23I'm asking why it changed.

00:28:25Brooklyn leaned back, eyes narrowing.

00:28:27I have boundaries, she said.

00:28:29Okay, I replied.

00:28:31And you need to respect them.

00:28:32I stared at her.

00:28:33Privacy and secrecy aren't the same thing.

00:28:35That was the wrong sentence.

00:28:37Excuse me, she asked.

00:28:39Privacy is normal, I said.

00:28:41But this is new.

00:28:42And it's constant.

00:28:43Brooklyn sat forward.

00:28:44So because I don't want you staring at my phone, it's secrecy?

00:28:47I'm not staring at it, I said.

00:28:49You're the one reacting every time it moves.

00:28:52She scoffed.

00:28:53That's insane.

00:28:54I nodded once.

00:28:55Okay.

00:28:55And somehow, even calm bothered her.

00:28:58After that, she started taking more calls away from me.

00:29:01Not fewer.

00:29:02More.

00:29:02One night at her place.

00:29:04Her phone buzzed while we were eating.

00:29:05She glanced down and stood up immediately.

00:29:08I'll be right back, she said.

00:29:09I looked at her plate.

00:29:10Mid-bite.

00:29:11It's work, she said, tight smile.

00:29:14Okay, I replied.

00:29:15She went into the bathroom and shut the door.

00:29:1710 minutes passed.

00:29:18Then 15.

00:29:19Then 20.

00:29:20By the time she came out, my food was cold and I was trying not to look like the stereotype

00:29:25I hated.

00:29:26Brooklyn sat back down, face composed.

00:29:28Sorry, she said.

00:29:29It was just a situation.

00:29:31What kind of situation?

00:29:32I asked.

00:29:33Client thing, she said, like that answered everything.

00:29:36I nodded once.

00:29:37Okay.

00:29:38She took a bite.

00:29:39Then looked at me.

00:29:40What, she asked.

00:29:41Nothing, I said.

00:29:42Brooklyn rolled her eyes.

00:29:44No.

00:29:44Say it.

00:29:45I didn't want to.

00:29:46But she pushed.

00:29:47It feels like you're hiding me, I said quietly.

00:29:50Brooklyn froze for half a second.

00:29:51Then she laughed.

00:29:52Not kindly.

00:29:53Christian, she said.

00:29:55Oh my god.

00:29:56What?

00:29:56I asked.

00:29:57She shook her head.

00:29:58This is projection.

00:30:00A projection of what?

00:30:01Your insecurity, she said.

00:30:03There it was again.

00:30:04Insecurity.

00:30:05Like it explained everything and ended the discussion.

00:30:07I'm not insecure, I said.

00:30:09Yes, you are, she replied.

00:30:11You just don't know how to admit it.

00:30:13I exhaled slowly.

00:30:14I'm not accusing you.

00:30:15I'm telling you how it feels.

00:30:17Brooklyn leaned back and folded her arms.

00:30:19And I'm telling you it's exhausting, she said.

00:30:22That's when I realized the conversation wasn't really about the phone.

00:30:25The phone was just the trigger.

00:30:27The real issue was that I wanted closeness, and she treated that like a problem.

00:30:30After that, any time I said she felt distant, she'd answer a different question.

00:30:35Me.

00:30:35You feel far away lately.

00:30:37Brooklyn.

00:30:38So you think I'm cheating?

00:30:39Me.

00:30:40I didn't say that.

00:30:41Brooklyn.

00:30:41But you're implying it.

00:30:43Me.

00:30:43I'm asking what's wrong.

00:30:45Brooklyn.

00:30:45What's wrong is you don't trust me.

00:30:47And somehow I'd end up apologizing for things I didn't even say.

00:30:50Every conversation turned into the same loop.

00:30:53I backed off.

00:30:54Not because I didn't care.

00:30:55Because I didn't want to become the guy who demanded passwords and checked timestamps.

00:30:59That wasn't me.

00:31:00I trusted the version of Brooklyn I met in 2020.

00:31:03The one who laughed at the Mariners game.

00:31:05The one who asked real questions.

00:31:07The one who said she liked that I fixed things.

00:31:09I kept trusting that version, even when she wasn't acting like her anymore.

00:31:13And the situation stayed impossible.

00:31:15If I asked questions, I was controlling.

00:31:17If I didn't ask, I was emotionally distant.

00:31:20If I stayed calm, I was manipulating her.

00:31:22If I got frustrated, I was unsafe.

00:31:25Every conversation ended the same way.

00:31:27Me apologizing.

00:31:28Her feeling validated.

00:31:29No explanation.

00:31:30No resolution.

00:31:32One night.

00:31:32After another argument that went nowhere, Brooklyn said,

00:31:35I need you to respect my boundaries.

00:31:38I nodded.

00:31:39Okay.

00:31:39She waited like she wanted more.

00:31:41Like she wanted me to beg.

00:31:42I didn't.

00:31:43Because I didn't know what the rules were anymore.

00:31:45So I said the only honest thing left.

00:31:47I'm trying, I said.

00:31:48But I don't know what you want.

00:31:50Brooklyn stared at me for a moment.

00:31:51Then she looked down at her phone.

00:31:53And the screen lit up again.

00:31:55Like whatever mattered was happening somewhere else.

00:31:57Chapter 6.

00:31:58The Reconnection Dinner

00:31:59Brooklyn's invitation came out of nowhere.

00:32:02She called me on a Tuesday night.

00:32:03Which was unusual.

00:32:04Brooklyn didn't call unless she had something planned.

00:32:07Hey.

00:32:07She said, voice warm.

00:32:09Hey.

00:32:09I answered.

00:32:10I was on my couch in Tacoma with the TV on low.

00:32:13So, she said.

00:32:14I was thinking.

00:32:15That sentence usually meant trouble.

00:32:17I think we need a real dinner.

00:32:19She said.

00:32:19A proper one.

00:32:20We've had dinner.

00:32:21I replied.

00:32:22Brooklyn laughed softly.

00:32:24Not like that.

00:32:24I mean intentional.

00:32:26A reset.

00:32:27A reset.

00:32:27I repeated.

00:32:28We've been off.

00:32:29She said.

00:32:30And I hate it.

00:32:31I don't want us to drift.

00:32:32Then she added.

00:32:33Like it was already decided.

00:32:35I made a reservation.

00:32:36My shoulders tightened.

00:32:37For when?

00:32:38Friday.

00:32:397.30.

00:32:40Where?

00:32:41Aurelian.

00:32:41She said.

00:32:42I waited.

00:32:43Okay.

00:32:43In Portland.

00:32:44I paused.

00:32:45Portland.

00:32:46Yes.

00:32:47She said quickly.

00:32:48It's an amazing place.

00:32:49Nice atmosphere.

00:32:50It'll feel special.

00:32:51I stared at my living room.

00:32:53Brooklyn.

00:32:54Portland is far.

00:32:55It's not that far.

00:32:56She said immediately.

00:32:57Two and a half hours.

00:32:58Minimum.

00:32:59More of traffic got involved.

00:33:00It's a Friday.

00:33:01She said.

00:33:02We can make it a night.

00:33:03A night.

00:33:04I repeated.

00:33:05We haven't done something romantic in forever.

00:33:07She said.

00:33:08I didn't like it.

00:33:09But her voice sounded like she was trying.

00:33:11What made you pick Portland?

00:33:12I asked.

00:33:13She hesitated half a beat.

00:33:14Work stuff.

00:33:15She said smoothly.

00:33:16I'm already going to be there earlier.

00:33:18Meetings.

00:33:19So it's convenient.

00:33:20That made enough sense to end the question.

00:33:22So you'll already be there.

00:33:23I said.

00:33:24Yeah.

00:33:25She replied.

00:33:25And I thought it would be nice if you came down after work.

00:33:28Just us.

00:33:29Reconnect.

00:33:29I didn't want Portland.

00:33:31I wanted things normal again.

00:33:32But I said yes anyway.

00:33:33Okay.

00:33:34I told her.

00:33:35Her relief came fast.

00:33:36Good.

00:33:38I really want this.

00:33:39Friday came.

00:33:40Work ran long.

00:33:41I left straight from the site and drove home to clean up.

00:33:44I showered.

00:33:45Changed into dark jeans, clean boots, and the best button-down I owned.

00:33:49Then I stood in front of the mirror and thought.

00:33:51Why am I doing this?

00:33:52I didn't like upscale restaurants.

00:33:54I liked simple food and early nights.

00:33:57But I already agreed.

00:33:58So I grabbed my keys and left.

00:34:00The drive down felt long.

00:34:01Not because the road was bad.

00:34:03Because the farther I got from Tacoma, the more it felt like I was doing something I didn't

00:34:07want to do.

00:34:07By the time I reached Portland, I was tired and already irritated.

00:34:11Downtown lights blurred past my windshield.

00:34:13People walked in groups, dressed for places I never went.

00:34:17Aurelian looked exactly like Brooklyn described.

00:34:19Valet out front.

00:34:20Soft lighting behind tall windows.

00:34:22The kind of entrance that made you feel underdressed, even when you weren't.

00:34:26I pulled up and shut off the engine.

00:34:28My truck didn't belong there.

00:34:30A valet stepped up, polite and expressionless.

00:34:33Good evening, he said.

00:34:34He looked at my truck for half a second longer than he needed to.

00:34:37I handed him the keys.

00:34:38He took them without comment.

00:34:40No problem, he said.

00:34:41I nodded once and walked inside.

00:34:43The restaurant was quiet and expensive.

00:34:45Soft lighting.

00:34:46Low voices.

00:34:47Piano music.

00:34:48Servers moving fast and silent.

00:34:50I gave my name at the host's stand.

00:34:52Jackson, I said.

00:34:53The host smiled.

00:34:54Right this way.

00:34:55She led me into the dining room.

00:34:57And I saw Brooklyn.

00:34:58Not in a corner.

00:34:59Not in a booth.

00:35:00Right in the center of the room.

00:35:01The most visible table.

00:35:03Brooklyn sat with perfect posture.

00:35:05New dress.

00:35:06Styled hair.

00:35:07Jewelry catching the light.

00:35:08Makeup done like she expected photos.

00:35:10She looked great.

00:35:11But she didn't look like she was meeting me.

00:35:13She looked like she was ready to be seen.

00:35:15She smiled when she spotted me.

00:35:16Christian, she said warmly.

00:35:18I sat across from her.

00:35:20Brooklyn.

00:35:20You made it, she said.

00:35:22Yeah, I replied.

00:35:23I drove down.

00:35:24She laughed lightly.

00:35:25I'm really glad.

00:35:26Her tone was too smooth.

00:35:28Like she was hosting an event.

00:35:29A server appeared immediately.

00:35:31Can I start you with something to drink?

00:35:33Brooklyn didn't check the menu.

00:35:34I'll have the smoked rosemary mezcal thing, she said.

00:35:37The server nodded.

00:35:38Excellent choice.

00:35:40He turned to me.

00:35:41I looked at the menu.

00:35:42I didn't recognize anything.

00:35:43I'll take a soda, I said.

00:35:45The server blinked once.

00:35:47Brooklyn looked at me.

00:35:47A soda?

00:35:48Yes, I said.

00:35:49A normal one.

00:35:50She smiled like she was trying not to laugh.

00:35:53You're hilarious.

00:35:54I'm practical, I replied.

00:35:55The server left.

00:35:57Brooklyn leaned forward.

00:35:58So, how have you been?

00:35:59The question sounded normal.

00:36:01But the whole situation felt staged.

00:36:03I've been fine, I said.

00:36:04Brooklyn nodded slowly.

00:36:06Fine doesn't sound good.

00:36:07It's good, I replied.

00:36:09Fine is stable.

00:36:10She laughed softly.

00:36:11You always say that.

00:36:12I didn't answer.

00:36:13She wasn't wrong.

00:36:14Her phone sat on the table next to her elbow, face up.

00:36:17That was new.

00:36:18Lately she kept it face down.

00:36:20Here, it looked placed on purpose.

00:36:22She tapped the screen once, then folded her hands.

00:36:25I really wanted tonight, she said.

00:36:27Why?

00:36:27I asked.

00:36:28Brooklyn blinked.

00:36:29What do you mean?

00:36:30I mean Portland, I said.

00:36:31This place.

00:36:33The reservation.

00:36:34The reset.

00:36:35Her smile tightened slightly.

00:36:36Christian, she said.

00:36:38Do we have to do this like an interrogation?

00:36:40It's not an interrogation, I said.

00:36:42It's a question.

00:36:43She sighed.

00:36:44I just want us to feel normal again.

00:36:46No tension.

00:36:47I nodded once.

00:36:48Okay.

00:36:49Brooklyn studied my face.

00:36:50You seem guarded.

00:36:51I'm not guarded, I said.

00:36:53I'm tired.

00:36:54From what?

00:36:54She asked.

00:36:55From driving two and a half hours for emotional clarity, I said.

00:36:59She laughed quickly.

00:37:00You're so dramatic.

00:37:01I stared at her.

00:37:03She didn't blink.

00:37:04The server returned with our drinks.

00:37:05Brooklyn's cocktail arrived smoking.

00:37:07Mine arrived in a plain glass with ice.

00:37:10Brooklyn lifted hers.

00:37:11Cheers.

00:37:12Cheers, I replied.

00:37:14We drank.

00:37:14Brooklyn watched me closely.

00:37:16Then I felt it.

00:37:17That sense of being watched.

00:37:18I glanced to my left.

00:37:19And I saw them.

00:37:21Kathy Reynolds and Linda Moore.

00:37:22At a nearby table.

00:37:24Close enough to hear.

00:37:25Close enough to watch.

00:37:26Two phones were upright on their table.

00:37:28Angled toward us.

00:37:29Recording.

00:37:30They were propped casually against water glasses.

00:37:32Screens dimmed.

00:37:33Angled just enough to look like they were charging or scrolling.

00:37:37Subtle enough that no one else would question it.

00:37:39Obvious if you knew what you were looking at.

00:37:41Low enough to look like they were charging.

00:37:43High enough to catch everything.

00:37:44Not hidden.

00:37:45Not accidental.

00:37:46They weren't even pretending.

00:37:48Everything clicked at once.

00:37:49Portland.

00:37:50The location.

00:37:51The center table.

00:37:52Brooklyn dressed for attention.

00:37:53Her tone.

00:37:54Her smile.

00:37:55This wasn't a reconnection dinner.

00:37:57It was a performance.

00:37:58It was a setup.

00:37:59Brooklyn leaned forward slightly.

00:38:01Are you okay?

00:38:02She asked.

00:38:03Voice sweet.

00:38:03I took another sip of my soda.

00:38:05Yeah.

00:38:06I said calmly.

00:38:07Brooklyn blinked.

00:38:08Yeah.

00:38:08I looked at her phone.

00:38:09Then at their phones.

00:38:11Then back at her.

00:38:11I didn't raise my voice.

00:38:13I didn't accuse her.

00:38:14I just asked.

00:38:15Quiet.

00:38:16And even.

00:38:16So, is this dinner for us?

00:38:18Brooklyn's smile stayed in place.

00:38:20Perfectly.

00:38:21For half a second too long.

00:38:22And that told me everything.

00:38:23I set my glass down.

00:38:24And I waited.

00:38:25Because for the first time in months, I wasn't confused anymore.

00:38:29Chapter 7.

00:38:30The Monologue.

00:38:31Brooklyn waited until the food arrived.

00:38:33That told me this wasn't a real conversation.

00:38:35If it was, it would have started the moment I sat down.

00:38:38A server brought our plates and set them down like they mattered.

00:38:41Brooklyn's dish looked delicate and expensive.

00:38:44Mine looked like two bites of food and a lot of sauce.

00:38:46Enjoy.

00:38:47The server said, then walked away.

00:38:49Brooklyn waited until he was gone.

00:38:51Then she took a slow sip of her drink and started talking.

00:38:54Christian, she said softly.

00:38:56I didn't answer.

00:38:57I took a bite.

00:38:58The food tasted fine.

00:38:59It didn't taste worth a two and a half hour drive.

00:39:02Brooklyn nodded like she was building confidence.

00:39:04I just want to be honest, she said.

00:39:06I chewed and stayed quiet.

00:39:07You've been a really important part of my life, she continued.

00:39:10I glanced toward Kathy and Linda's table.

00:39:13Their phones were still upright, angled toward us.

00:39:15They weren't trying to hide it.

00:39:17They were filming and acting like they weren't.

00:39:19They weren't holding them up like a selfie.

00:39:21They had them angled low against a water glass, subtle enough to look accidental if you weren't

00:39:26paying attention.

00:39:27But I was paying attention.

00:39:28Brooklyn kept going.

00:39:29But I've been doing a lot of thinking, she said.

00:39:31About where I'm going.

00:39:32I didn't move.

00:39:33I didn't react.

00:39:34I'm in a different place now, she said.

00:39:37Professionally.

00:39:38Personally.

00:39:38Another pause.

00:39:39I've worked really hard for what I have.

00:39:42She looked at me like she expected me to argue.

00:39:44I didn't.

00:39:45And I've realized, she said carefully, I want more.

00:39:47Then she added, calmer but sharper.

00:39:50And when I talk about growth, I don't mean bowling nights and quiet weekends.

00:39:54I mean momentum.

00:39:55People.

00:39:56Events.

00:39:57Visibility.

00:39:58There it was.

00:39:58Not love.

00:39:59Not connection.

00:40:00Not effort.

00:40:01More.

00:40:02She set her fork down slowly.

00:40:03I want growth, she said.

00:40:05I want someone who pushes me.

00:40:06Inspires me.

00:40:07I stared at her without changing my expression.

00:40:09I didn't know what face you were supposed to make when someone broke up with you using

00:40:13corporate language.

00:40:14I need a partner who matches my energy, she continued.

00:40:17Who wants to build something bigger.

00:40:19She didn't say with me.

00:40:20She just kept saying bigger.

00:40:22It wasn't a fight.

00:40:23It was a speech.

00:40:24She didn't call me lazy.

00:40:26She didn't call me mean.

00:40:27She didn't accuse me of cheating.

00:40:29She framed me as not enough.

00:40:30It wasn't about leaving me.

00:40:32It was about controlling how the leaving looked.

00:40:34Not wrong.

00:40:35Just behind.

00:40:36Her eyes flicked toward Kathy and Linda again for half a second.

00:40:39Like she was checking that everything was being captured.

00:40:42Then she finished.

00:40:43Silence followed.

00:40:44Brooklyn stared at me.

00:40:45Kathy and Linda stared at me.

00:40:47Brooklyn looked like she was waiting for the part where I broke down.

00:40:50Crying would have been ideal.

00:40:51Anger would have been useful.

00:40:53Begging would have been perfect.

00:40:54Anything would have worked except calm.

00:40:56I took one more bite.

00:40:57Then set my fork down.

00:40:59I picked up my napkin, wiped my mouth, and placed it on the table.

00:41:02Brooklyn watched every move like she was waiting for the twist.

00:41:05I looked at her.

00:41:06You're done?

00:41:07I asked.

00:41:08Brooklyn blinked.

00:41:09What?

00:41:09Are you finished?

00:41:10I repeated.

00:41:11Her mouth opened.

00:41:12Then closed.

00:41:13Yes, she said.

00:41:14I'm done.

00:41:15I nodded once.

00:41:16Then I said the only thing I meant.

00:41:18Good luck to you.

00:41:19Brooklyn stared like she didn't understand.

00:41:21What?

00:41:22She asked, laughing once.

00:41:23Too sharp.

00:41:24That's it.

00:41:25I reached into my pocket and pulled out cash.

00:41:27Not because I wanted to be generous.

00:41:29Because I didn't want to deal with anything at the front.

00:41:32I set the bills on the table.

00:41:33Brooklyn's eyes dropped to the money.

00:41:35You're paying?

00:41:36She asked.

00:41:36Yes, I said.

00:41:37I ate two bites.

00:41:39Her face tightened.

00:41:40Christian.

00:41:41I stood up.

00:41:42The chair scraped back.

00:41:43It wasn't loud, but the room heard it anyway.

00:41:46Nearby conversations got quieter.

00:41:48People pretended they weren't watching.

00:41:50Brooklyn called after me.

00:41:51Wait.

00:41:51Are you serious?

00:41:52I didn't turn around.

00:41:54Behind me, I heard chairs move.

00:41:56Kathy and Linda, confused and scrambling.

00:41:58Brooklyn.

00:41:59Kathy said, tense.

00:42:00What is he doing?

00:42:01Brooklyn stood quickly.

00:42:03Christian, she called louder.

00:42:04You're just walking away?

00:42:06I kept going.

00:42:07The host at the front looked up.

00:42:08Sir, she started.

00:42:10I'm good, I said and walked out.

00:42:12Outside, the air was cold.

00:42:14Quiet.

00:42:14The valet looked surprised when I approached.

00:42:17Uh, Mr. Jackson?

00:42:18Yeah, I said.

00:42:19He handed me my keys.

00:42:20No attitude now.

00:42:21Just confusion.

00:42:22I got into my truck, started the engine, and pulled away.

00:42:25Brooklyn's voice carried out behind me from the entrance.

00:42:28Loud and useless.

00:42:30I didn't look back.

00:42:31I drove off.

00:42:32And the whole thing ended without a scene.

00:42:34That was the part she didn't plan for.

00:42:36Chapter 8.

00:42:36No second take.

00:42:38Outside, the air felt better.

00:42:40Not because Portland was clean.

00:42:41Just because I was out of that restaurant and away from the setup.

00:42:44I stood near the valet area with my hands in my pockets, waiting for my keys.

00:42:49Behind me, the doors opened fast.

00:42:51Then I heard heels hitting pavement.

00:42:53Brooklyn.

00:42:53Christian, she yelled.

00:42:54I didn't turn around right away.

00:42:56I didn't need to.

00:42:57She stepped in front of me and blocked my path.

00:43:00Up close, she didn't look sad.

00:43:01She looked angry.

00:43:03That's it, she demanded.

00:43:04You're just leaving?

00:43:05Yes, I said.

00:43:06Brooklyn blinked like she couldn't understand the answer.

00:43:09Why aren't you saying anything?

00:43:10She asked, voice rising.

00:43:12I already did, I replied.

00:43:14What?

00:43:14Good luck, I said.

00:43:16Brooklyn laughed once, sharp.

00:43:17That's not a response.

00:43:18It is, I said.

00:43:20Just not the one you wanted.

00:43:21She opened her mouth.

00:43:22Then looked past me toward the restaurant like she was checking who was watching.

00:43:26They were watching.

00:43:27Kathy and Linda came out next.

00:43:29Not running.

00:43:30Hovering.

00:43:30They stopped nearby, still holding their phones like they didn't know what to do with their

00:43:34hands.

00:43:35Brooklyn lowered her voice and tried again, softer.

00:43:38Why aren't you fighting for us?

00:43:39She asked.

00:43:40I looked at her.

00:43:41Because you wanted a show.

00:43:42I'm not performing.

00:43:43Her face hardened again.

00:43:45That's not fair, she said.

00:43:46It's accurate, I replied.

00:43:48Kathy stepped forward like she couldn't help herself.

00:43:51Okay.

00:43:52I'm sorry, but this is childish.

00:43:53I glanced at her.

00:43:54Who are you?

00:43:56Kathy's eyes widened.

00:43:57Excuse me.

00:43:58I know your name, I said.

00:43:59But I don't know you.

00:44:00So why are you here?

00:44:02Kathy looked at Brooklyn like Brooklyn was supposed to answer for her.

00:44:05Linda cleared her throat and said gently, we're here for support.

00:44:09Support, I repeated.

00:44:11Brooklyn snapped.

00:44:12Stop.

00:44:12Don't make me look crazy.

00:44:14That told me everything.

00:44:15Not hurt.

00:44:16Not sorry.

00:44:17Just don't make me look bad.

00:44:18I nodded once.

00:44:19Brooklyn, you don't need my help with that.

00:44:21Her eyes flashed.

00:44:22So you don't care?

00:44:23I care enough not to argue in a parking lot while your friends record it, I said.

00:44:28Kathy lifted her phone a little, defensive.

00:44:30We weren't recording.

00:44:31I looked at the phone in her hand.

00:44:33Upright.

00:44:34Facing me.

00:44:35She lowered it again quickly, glancing around like she suddenly remembered where she was.

00:44:39Okay, I said.

00:44:40Brooklyn's voice rose again.

00:44:42You're quitting.

00:44:43No, I replied.

00:44:44I'm leaving.

00:44:45That's the same thing.

00:44:46It's not, I said.

00:44:48Quitting means I still want this.

00:44:49Leaving means I'm done.

00:44:50Brooklyn went silent.

00:44:52The valet walked up carefully with my keys.

00:44:54Mr. Jackson?

00:44:55Yes, I said.

00:44:56He handed them over like he wanted no part of whatever this was.

00:45:00Brooklyn stepped closer again, voice softer, trying to pull me back into a private moment.

00:45:05Christian, she said.

00:45:06This isn't how this ends.

00:45:08I looked at her for a second.

00:45:09She didn't want the relationship back.

00:45:11She wanted control of the ending.

00:45:13You're right, I said.

00:45:14This isn't how you wanted it to end.

00:45:16Then I opened my truck door and got in.

00:45:18Brooklyn moved toward the passenger side like she was about to keep going.

00:45:22Christian, seriously.

00:45:23I shut the door.

00:45:25Started the engine.

00:45:25And pulled away.

00:45:26I didn't look back.

00:45:27The drive home was quiet.

00:45:29I didn't call anyone.

00:45:30I didn't play music.

00:45:31I just drove.

00:45:32Around Olympia, my phone started buzzing.

00:45:35Calls.

00:45:36Texts.

00:45:36More calls.

00:45:37I didn't answer.

00:45:38I wasn't trying to punish her.

00:45:40I just didn't want to get pulled into the same argument on a different night.

00:45:43When I got home, the house was quiet.

00:45:45I kicked off my boots and went to the fridge.

00:45:47I grabbed a soda, opened it, and sat on the couch.

00:45:50I turned on a baseball game.

00:45:52My phone buzzed again.

00:45:53I ignored it.

00:45:54Then it buzzed again.

00:45:55Eventually, I picked it up.

00:45:57Brooklyn's name filled the screen like she'd been arguing with herself.

00:46:00What was that?

00:46:02Are you serious right now?

00:46:03You embarrassed me.

00:46:04Christian, please just answer.

00:46:06This isn't how adults act.

00:46:08I'm trying to talk to you.

00:46:09Stop being dramatic.

00:46:11I stared at that last one for a second.

00:46:12Then I set the phone down and kept watching the game.

00:46:15A minute later, she called.

00:46:17I didn't answer.

00:46:18She called again.

00:46:19And again.

00:46:19That's when I did something simple.

00:46:21I opened her contact and blocked her number.

00:46:24No speech.

00:46:24No emotion.

00:46:25Just a decision.

00:46:26The silence after that was immediate.

00:46:28I took another sip of soda.

00:46:30And for the first time in months, I felt calm.

00:46:32I went to bed early and slept.

00:46:34Not perfectly, but enough.

00:46:35By morning, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time.

00:46:39Not relief.

00:46:40Not sadness.

00:46:41Clarity.

00:46:42Brooklyn wanted an ending that looked good to other people.

00:46:44I chose one that worked.

00:46:46Chapter 9.

00:46:47Coincidence Fatigue

00:46:48I didn't call it stalking at first.

00:46:50That word felt extreme.

00:46:51I didn't want drama.

00:46:52I wanted her to stay away and let it end.

00:46:54So I told myself it was coincidence.

00:46:56Bad timing.

00:46:57Shared routines.

00:46:58But then Tuesday morning happened.

00:47:00Tuesday started normal.

00:47:01I woke up at 5.30, got dressed, and drove to my usual coffee shop in Tacoma.

00:47:06The same place I'd been going to long before Brooklyn knew how I took my coffee.

00:47:10It wasn't trendy.

00:47:11It served caffeine and kept it moving.

00:47:13I walked in and headed toward the counter.

00:47:15Brooklyn was sitting at a corner table by the window.

00:47:18In Tacoma.

00:47:19At 6.40 in the morning.

00:47:20Laptop open.

00:47:21Notebook out.

00:47:22Coffee untouched.

00:47:23She looked up and forced surprise fast.

00:47:26Christian, she said, like she couldn't believe she was seeing me.

00:47:29I stopped.

00:47:30Not for drama.

00:47:31Just because my brain needed a second.

00:47:33She smiled carefully.

00:47:34Wow.

00:47:35I didn't think you came here.

00:47:36That didn't make sense.

00:47:37If she didn't think I came here, she wouldn't be here.

00:47:40I do, I said.

00:47:41Brooklyn leaned forward slightly, hopeful.

00:47:44I was just…

00:47:44I had an early meeting down here, and I thought I'd stop.

00:47:47I didn't ask what meeting.

00:47:49I didn't ask why the coffee wasn't touched.

00:47:51I didn't want the conversation.

00:47:52I wanted my coffee.

00:47:53I ordered, paid, and waited.

00:47:56Brooklyn stared at me like she couldn't believe I wasn't reacting.

00:47:59The barista handed me my drink.

00:48:01Here you go, Christian.

00:48:02Thanks, I said.

00:48:03Brooklyn's smile tightened.

00:48:05She stood up.

00:48:06Are you okay?

00:48:06I'm fine, I said.

00:48:08So you're just going to ignore me?

00:48:09She asked, voice sharper.

00:48:11I'm not ignoring you.

00:48:12I replied.

00:48:13I'm leaving.

00:48:14Christian, can we talk?

00:48:15No, I said.

00:48:16Her face changed.

00:48:18Why are you being like this?

00:48:19Because we already talked, I said.

00:48:21In Portland.

00:48:22She opened her mouth to answer.

00:48:24I walked out before she could.

00:48:25Through the glass, I saw her standing there watching me like she was trying to figure out

00:48:29what went wrong.

00:48:30Thursday, she showed up at the grocery store.

00:48:33I stopped after work, still in my boots, tired and trying to get in and out fast.

00:48:37Milk.

00:48:38Eggs.

00:48:39Something frozen.

00:48:40I grabbed a basket and walked in.

00:48:42Then I saw her.

00:48:43Brooklyn stood at the end of the aisle holding three items.

00:48:46Grapes.

00:48:47Sparkling water.

00:48:48A small jar of something expensive.

00:48:50She smiled like we'd just run into each other by accident.

00:48:52Hi, she said softly.

00:48:54I nodded once.

00:48:55Hey.

00:48:55I turned away and kept shopping.

00:48:58Footsteps followed me.

00:48:59Not close enough to touch me.

00:49:00Close enough to make it obvious.

00:49:02I stopped at the eggs.

00:49:03Brooklyn stopped too.

00:49:04I moved to frozen foods.

00:49:06Brooklyn moved too.

00:49:07Then she appeared in the same aisle again.

00:49:09Twice.

00:49:10Holding the same three items.

00:49:12Still smiling.

00:49:13I finally looked at her and said, calm and flat.

00:49:16You're not even shopping.

00:49:17Brooklyn blinked.

00:49:18What?

00:49:19I nodded at her hands.

00:49:20Those aren't groceries.

00:49:21Her smile broke for half a second.

00:49:23Christian, can you not?

00:49:25She said quietly.

00:49:26Not what?

00:49:27I asked.

00:49:28Make me feel crazy.

00:49:29She replied.

00:49:30I nodded once.

00:49:31Okay.

00:49:32Then I walked away.

00:49:33I paid and left.

00:49:34She didn't follow me out.

00:49:35But I could feel her watching until I was gone.

00:49:38The next week, she showed up at my job site.

00:49:40That's when it stopped being coincidence in my head.

00:49:43Not because I was angry, but because patterns matter when you're the one being followed.

00:49:47We were in Olympia at a commercial build.

00:49:49Fence perimeter.

00:49:50Safety signs everywhere.

00:49:52The kind of place you don't just walk into.

00:49:54I was up on an elevated platform working on a unit that had been fighting me all morning.

00:49:58Ryan was below talking to a forklift driver like he had no fear.

00:50:02Then I heard someone yell my name from outside the fence.

00:50:04Christian.

00:50:05I froze.

00:50:06That voice didn't belong on a work site.

00:50:08I looked down.

00:50:09Brooklyn was standing outside the fence.

00:50:11Hair done.

00:50:12Outfit clean.

00:50:13Makeup perfect.

00:50:14She waved like this was normal.

00:50:16Ryan followed my eyes and frowned.

00:50:18No way.

00:50:18I climbed down slowly.

00:50:20I wasn't going to lose my temper at work.

00:50:22Dave Wilson saw me moving and walked over.

00:50:24What's going on?

00:50:25He asked.

00:50:26I stared at her for a second.

00:50:27That's my ex.

00:50:28Dave's eyebrows lifted.

00:50:30Problem.

00:50:30I don't know yet.

00:50:31I said.

00:50:32But it's getting there.

00:50:33Brooklyn yelled again.

00:50:35Loud enough for people nearby to turn.

00:50:37Christian.

00:50:37Can you come here for a second?

00:50:39Dave looked at me.

00:50:40Want me to handle it?

00:50:41I nodded.

00:50:42Yeah.

00:50:42Dave walked toward the fence and stopped inside the perimeter.

00:50:46Ma'am.

00:50:46He said calmly.

00:50:47This is a job site.

00:50:48Brooklyn smiled bright.

00:50:50Hi.

00:50:50I'm just here to talk to Christian.

00:50:52Dave didn't smile back.

00:50:53You can't be here.

00:50:54He said.

00:50:55You need to leave.

00:50:56Brooklyn tightened her smile.

00:50:58I'm not inside.

00:50:59You're creating a disturbance.

00:51:00Dave replied.

00:51:01Leave.

00:51:02Brooklyn looked past Dave at me and waved again.

00:51:05Smaller now.

00:51:06Like she expected me to come fix it.

00:51:08I didn't move.

00:51:09Dave continued.

00:51:09If you don't leave, I'm calling site security.

00:51:12Brooklyn's voice sharpened.

00:51:14Are you serious?

00:51:15I'm not doing anything wrong.

00:51:16You are, Dave said.

00:51:18Leave.

00:51:19Brooklyn grabbed the fence lightly and called my name again.

00:51:22Christian.

00:51:22Are you really doing this?

00:51:24Dave turned his head slightly toward me, waiting.

00:51:27I could have walked over and said something.

00:51:29But that was what she wanted.

00:51:30Access.

00:51:31A scene.

00:51:32A conversation forced in public.

00:51:33I stayed still.

00:51:35Brooklyn raised her voice.

00:51:36This is insane.

00:51:37I'm trying to talk like an adult.

00:51:39Dave didn't change his tone.

00:51:40Security.

00:51:41A guard showed up within a minute.

00:51:43Brooklyn's eyes widened.

00:51:44Like she couldn't believe people here didn't care about her intentions.

00:51:48This is humiliating.

00:51:49She snapped.

00:51:50Dave stayed calm.

00:51:51Then leave.

00:51:52Brooklyn stared at me through the fence like she was waiting for me to break.

00:51:55I didn't.

00:51:56Finally, she turned and walked off fast, angry.

00:51:59As she left, she threw one last line back toward the site.

00:52:02You're proving my point, Christian.

00:52:04I watched her disappear behind the equipment.

00:52:06Then I looked at Dave.

00:52:07You want me to document this?

00:52:09He asked.

00:52:09Yes, I said.

00:52:11Okay, he replied.

00:52:12If she comes back, we escalate.

00:52:14I nodded.

00:52:15That's when I stopped calling it coincidence.

00:52:17It wasn't romance.

00:52:18It wasn't bad timing.

00:52:19It was her refusing to accept that she didn't have access anymore.

00:52:22And it wasn't going away on its own.

00:52:25Chapter 10.

00:52:25A Better Bar

00:52:26After Portland, after blocking her, and after her coincidences, I didn't change my whole life.

00:52:32I didn't join a gym.

00:52:33I didn't reinvent myself.

00:52:34I didn't start doing anything dramatic.

00:52:37I changed one thing.

00:52:38Where I spent Friday nights.

00:52:39I didn't need a new personality.

00:52:41I needed somewhere I could relax without waiting for Brooklyn to show up.

00:52:45Harbor Lane still owned Thursdays.

00:52:46But Fridays were suddenly empty.

00:52:48And empty time makes you do stupid things.

00:52:51It makes you miss people you shouldn't miss.

00:52:53It makes you remember the good parts and forget the rest.

00:52:56So I picked a bar Brooklyn hated.

00:52:57Not to get back at her.

00:52:58Because it felt like somewhere she wouldn't go.

00:53:01The iron anchor was in Tacoma.

00:53:02Simple sign.

00:53:03Tinted windows.

00:53:04No effort to look fancy.

00:53:06Inside, it smelled like beer, old wood, and fried food.

00:53:10The lighting was dim and honest.

00:53:12There were no influencers and no concept cocktails.

00:53:15Just people in hoodies and work boots.

00:53:17People who didn't talk like they were selling something.

00:53:19I walked in, sat at the bar, and ordered a beer.

00:53:22The bartender slid it over without asking how I was doing.

00:53:25I respected that.

00:53:26A local band was setting up in the corner.

00:53:28Three guys and a woman dragging equipment that looked old and tired.

00:53:32Cables popped.

00:53:33The mic stand leaned.

00:53:34A guy at the end of the bar muttered,

00:53:36This is gonna be loud.

00:53:37I nodded.

00:53:38Good.

00:53:39He looked at me.

00:53:40Good.

00:53:40Yeah, I said.

00:53:41Loud helps.

00:53:42He grinned.

00:53:43Fair.

00:53:44I took a sip of beer and watched the stage.

00:53:46That's when I noticed her.

00:53:48Two stools down.

00:53:48Not posed.

00:53:49Not dressed for attention.

00:53:51Just sitting there with a simple drink and a calm expression.

00:53:54Jeans.

00:53:54Dark sweater.

00:53:55Hair pulled back like she didn't spend an hour negotiating with a mirror.

00:53:59She looked normal.

00:54:00The drummer hit the snare by accident.

00:54:02She winced.

00:54:03I smirked.

00:54:04She caught it and raised an eyebrow.

00:54:06Promising start, she said.

00:54:07Very, I replied.

00:54:09Strong opening.

00:54:10She laughed quietly, then nodded toward the band.

00:54:12Do you know them?

00:54:13No, I said.

00:54:14But I respect the confidence.

00:54:16Same, she said.

00:54:18Dragging that amp in here like it's not going to betray them.

00:54:20I glanced at her.

00:54:21You're not from Seattle.

00:54:22She turned slightly.

00:54:24That obvious?

00:54:25Yeah, I said.

00:54:25You sound like a person.

00:54:27She laughed again, a little bigger.

00:54:29Tacoma, she said.

00:54:30Tacoma, I agreed.

00:54:32We talked easily.

00:54:33Not deep.

00:54:34Not heavy.

00:54:35Just normal conversation that didn't feel like a test.

00:54:37Her name was Megan Foster.

00:54:39She told me she taught third grade.

00:54:41Third grade.

00:54:42I repeated.

00:54:43That seems intense.

00:54:44It is, she said.

00:54:45They're old enough to argue and young enough to be wild.

00:54:48I almost choked on my beer.

00:54:50That's accurate.

00:54:51She smiled.

00:54:52What about you?

00:54:53I hesitated for a second.

00:54:54Not because I didn't know.

00:54:55Because I was used to people asking like they were judging the answer.

00:54:58Heavy equipment, I said.

00:55:00Megan nodded like it was normal.

00:55:02What kind?

00:55:02Industrial and commercial, I said.

00:55:05Compressors.

00:55:06Hydraulics.

00:55:07Engines.

00:55:08Stuff people ignore until it breaks.

00:55:10Megan smiled slightly.

00:55:11So you keep things running.

00:55:12I keep them from being annoying, I said.

00:55:15Fair, she replied.

00:55:16Then she leaned in.

00:55:17Real question.

00:55:18I raised an eyebrow.

00:55:20All right.

00:55:20What breaks the most?

00:55:22She asked.

00:55:22Like the repeat problem.

00:55:23I paused.

00:55:24That was the kind of question people asked when they actually cared.

00:55:28Preventative maintenance, I said.

00:55:30People skip small fixes until everything fails.

00:55:33Then they act surprised.

00:55:34Megan nodded slowly.

00:55:35That's also my experience with children.

00:55:37I laughed.

00:55:38So we're basically co-workers.

00:55:40Pretty much, she said.

00:55:41Except your machines don't lie.

00:55:43They do, I replied.

00:55:45They act fine until you put them under pressure.

00:55:47Megan tilted her head.

00:55:49That's depressing.

00:55:50Welcome to adulthood, I said.

00:55:52She smiled again.

00:55:53Easy.

00:55:54Normal.

00:55:54It didn't feel like she was measuring me.

00:55:56It felt like she was just there.

00:55:58The band started playing.

00:55:59They weren't great.

00:56:00But they were loud and committed.

00:56:02Megan watched for a minute and said,

00:56:04I love how every local band looks like they met at a gas station.

00:56:07They probably did, I replied.

00:56:09That's Tacoma networking.

00:56:10She laughed, then took a sip of her drink.

00:56:13So, she asked casually, you come here a lot?

00:56:16I shook my head.

00:56:17No.

00:56:18First time in a while.

00:56:19What brought you out?

00:56:20She asked.

00:56:21Her tone stayed light.

00:56:22No digging.

00:56:23No therapy voice.

00:56:24I could have lied.

00:56:26Instead, I kept it simple.

00:56:27I needed somewhere that didn't require anything from me.

00:56:30I said.

00:56:31Megan nodded like she understood.

00:56:32That's fair, she said.

00:56:34Sometimes you just want to exist.

00:56:35That hit harder than it should have.

00:56:37Because that's what I wanted.

00:56:38A night that didn't feel like a meeting.

00:56:40We talked until the band finished their set, and the bar got louder.

00:56:44Megan checked her phone and made a face.

00:56:46I should go, she said.

00:56:47I have a be responsible morning.

00:56:49I nodded.

00:56:50Teachers don't sleep.

00:56:51We do, she said.

00:56:52We just never wake up rested.

00:56:54She grabbed her jacket, slid off the stool, and smiled.

00:56:57Nice talking to you, Christian.

00:56:59Yeah, I said.

00:57:00You too.

00:57:01There was a pause.

00:57:02The normal moment where people exchange numbers just because it's expected.

00:57:05Neither of us reach for our phone.

00:57:07No pressure.

00:57:08No push.

00:57:09Megan nodded once and walked out.

00:57:11And for the first time in weeks, I stayed seated without checking the door every time it opened.

00:57:16I drove home through Tacoma and felt lighter.

00:57:19Not because I met someone new.

00:57:20Because the night didn't require effort or defense.

00:57:23No scripts.

00:57:24No accusations.

00:57:25No careful phrasing.

00:57:27Just a beer and a normal conversation.

00:57:29When I got home, I kicked off my boots and realized something simple.

00:57:33Brooklyn made my life feel like a constant discussion.

00:57:35And I didn't miss that feeling at all.

00:57:37Chapter 11.

00:57:38The Narrative Correction

00:57:39Brooklyn didn't grieve.

00:57:41She adjusted.

00:57:42I didn't hear it from her.

00:57:43I heard it the way you hear anything now.

00:57:45Through other people.

00:57:46It started with calls from numbers I didn't recognize.

00:57:49One afternoon, I was sitting in my truck outside a site in Tacoma, finishing paperwork.

00:57:54My phone rang.

00:57:55Unknown number.

00:57:56I let it ring.

00:57:56It rang again.

00:57:57I sighed and answered.

00:57:59Hello.

00:57:59A woman's voice came through, careful and polite.

00:58:02Christian.

00:58:03Yeah, I said.

00:58:04Hi, she said.

00:58:05This is Heather.

00:58:06I knew a Heather.

00:58:07Brooklyn knew a Heather too.

00:58:08Okay, I replied.

00:58:10Heather paused like she was about to say something meaningful.

00:58:12I just wanted to check in, she said.

00:58:15I heard you and Brooklyn had a situation.

00:58:17We broke up, I said.

00:58:19Heather exhaled dramatically.

00:58:20Oh my god.

00:58:21I'm so sorry.

00:58:22Thanks, I replied.

00:58:24Another pause.

00:58:25Then she asked the real question.

00:58:26So, she said softly.

00:58:28I don't want you to take this the wrong way.

00:58:30But, were you ever controlling?

00:58:32There it was.

00:58:33Not what happened.

00:58:34Not are you okay.

00:58:35Controlling.

00:58:36I stared out through my windshield.

00:58:38No, I said.

00:58:39Heather hesitated.

00:58:40Okay.

00:58:40It's just, she said some things.

00:58:42I didn't respond.

00:58:43She said the dinner was really hard.

00:58:46Heather continued.

00:58:46That she finally had to stand up for herself.

00:58:49I held the phone away from my ear for a second and looked at it like it was broken.

00:58:53Then I put it back.

00:58:54I'm not discussing Brooklyn with you.

00:58:55I said calmly.

00:58:57Heather inhaled.

00:58:58Wow.

00:58:58I could hear the judgment forming.

00:59:00I hope she's okay.

00:59:01I added.

00:59:02But I'm not doing this.

00:59:03Heather's voice cooled.

00:59:04Okay.

00:59:05I just didn't know if you'd.

00:59:06No, I said.

00:59:07And I hung up.

00:59:08The calls kept coming.

00:59:10Different numbers.

00:59:11Same tone.

00:59:12Same script.

00:59:12People reached out like they were checking on everyone.

00:59:15But the questions were always loaded.

00:59:17Had I been distant?

00:59:18Aggressive?

00:59:19Emotionally unavailable?

00:59:20Did I punish her with silence?

00:59:22Did she walk on eggshells?

00:59:23I recognized what Brooklyn was doing.

00:59:25She wasn't telling people we broke up.

00:59:27She was building a story.

00:59:29In her story, the dinner wasn't staged.

00:59:31It was bravery.

00:59:32My silence wasn't restraint.

00:59:34It was abuse.

00:59:35My calm wasn't calm.

00:59:36It was emotional withdrawal.

00:59:38She took the one thing I knew I did right and turned it into something ugly.

00:59:42It was almost impressive.

00:59:43Almost.

00:59:44One evening, Ryan called while I was making dinner.

00:59:46He didn't start with his usual jokes.

00:59:48He sounded careful.

00:59:49Hey, he said.

00:59:50You good?

00:59:51Yeah.

00:59:51I replied.

00:59:52Why?

00:59:53Ryan hesitated.

00:59:54Weird question.

00:59:55Okay.

00:59:56My girlfriend saw something online, he said.

00:59:58I closed my eyes slowly.

01:00:00Something online?

01:00:01Yeah.

01:00:01Ryan said.

01:00:02Brooklyn posted something.

01:00:03Not your name, but it's about you.

01:00:05I exhaled.

01:00:06What did she say?

01:00:07Ryan cleared his throat.

01:00:09Stuff about leaving a controlling relationship.

01:00:11Finding her voice.

01:00:12And how silence can be abusive.

01:00:14I stared at the stove.

01:00:15Silence can be abusive.

01:00:17I repeated.

01:00:18Ryan added.

01:00:19You want me to comment?

01:00:20No.

01:00:20I said immediately.

01:00:22Ryan paused.

01:00:23Then what are you gonna do?

01:00:24I turned the heat down and stirred the food like I cared.

01:00:27I'm going to do nothing.

01:00:28I said.

01:00:29Ryan made a sound.

01:00:30Dude.

01:00:30What?

01:00:31I asked.

01:00:32That's exactly what she's saying you do.

01:00:34I let out a tired laugh.

01:00:35Yeah.

01:00:36That's why it works.

01:00:37Ryan sighed.

01:00:38Man, I hate that.

01:00:39I know, I said.

01:00:40Me too.

01:00:41The next day, I made an appointment with an attorney.

01:00:44Not because I wanted revenge.

01:00:45Because I wanted a clean boundary and a paper trail.

01:00:48Brooklyn and I weren't married.

01:00:50This wasn't divorce.

01:00:51This was harassment and reputation damage.

01:00:54I needed someone who dealt with that.

01:00:55His name was Mr. Grayson.

01:00:57His office was plain and practical.

01:00:59Neutral walls.

01:00:59Simple furniture.

01:01:01No ego.

01:01:02Grayson shook my hand and sat back.

01:01:04So, he said, tell me what's going on.

01:01:07I told him the basics.

01:01:08Portland.

01:01:09The phones.

01:01:10The speech.

01:01:11The parking lot.

01:01:12Then the coffee shop.

01:01:13The grocery store.

01:01:14The job site.

01:01:15Grayson listened without reacting.

01:01:17When I finished, he nodded.

01:01:18Okay, he said.

01:01:19I nodded back.

01:01:20Okay.

01:01:21He looked at his notes.

01:01:22You did the right thing by not engaging, he said.

01:01:25That was the first time someone said it like it mattered.

01:01:27Grayson leaned forward slightly.

01:01:29Here's what you do next, he said.

01:01:31Document everything.

01:01:32For the first time, calm wasn't just a personality trait.

01:01:35It was evidence.

01:01:36Everything.

01:01:37I asked.

01:01:38Texts.

01:01:39Calls.

01:01:40Dates.

01:01:40Times.

01:01:41Locations.

01:01:42Witnesses, he said.

01:01:43And say nothing publicly.

01:01:45But she's saying things, I replied.

01:01:47I know.

01:01:48Grayson said calmly.

01:01:49Truth usually catches up when the story gets too big.

01:01:52I nodded slowly.

01:01:53What about her showing up?

01:01:54I asked.

01:01:55If she shows up again, Grayson said.

01:01:58We escalate.

01:01:59We start with a cease and desist.

01:02:00If it continues, we go for a protection order.

01:02:03He said it like steps in a normal process.

01:02:05He handed me a printed checklist.

01:02:07Paper.

01:02:08Straightforward.

01:02:09Clear.

01:02:10Keep a log, he said.

01:02:11If she contacts your employer again, that matters.

01:02:14If she appears again at work, that matters more.

01:02:16Okay, I said.

01:02:18Grayson's expression softened.

01:02:19You're handling this well.

01:02:20I gave a small smile.

01:02:22I don't know how else to handle it.

01:02:24Stay consistent, he said.

01:02:25That Friday, I went back to the Iron Anchor.

01:02:27Not because I was looking for comfort.

01:02:29Because it was the only place I'd been recently that didn't feel like a test.

01:02:33Megan was there again.

01:02:34Sitting at the bar like she actually belonged in her own life.

01:02:37I sat a few stools away.

01:02:39She glanced over and smiled.

01:02:40Hey, Tacoma.

01:02:41I smirked.

01:02:42Hey, third grade.

01:02:43Her eyes narrowed slightly.

01:02:45You look stressed.

01:02:46Do I?

01:02:47I asked.

01:02:48Yes, she said.

01:02:49Your face is doing that thing where men pretend they're fine.

01:02:52I laughed once.

01:02:53Small, real.

01:02:54I ordered a beer.

01:02:55The bartender slid it over without saying anything.

01:02:57Megan watched me for a moment.

01:02:59Then she asked quietly.

01:03:00So, what happened with Portland?

01:03:02I looked down at my glass.

01:03:04I hadn't planned to talk about it.

01:03:05But Megan wasn't asking like she wanted gossip.

01:03:08So I gave her the short version.

01:03:09She broke up with me.

01:03:10I said.

01:03:11At a fancy restaurant.

01:03:13With an audience.

01:03:14Megan's eyebrows lifted.

01:03:15An audience?

01:03:16Her friends.

01:03:17I said.

01:03:18Phones out.

01:03:19Recording.

01:03:19Megan blinked.

01:03:20That's insane.

01:03:22Yeah, I said.

01:03:22And now?

01:03:23She asked.

01:03:24Now she's rewriting it.

01:03:25I replied.

01:03:26Megan tilted her head.

01:03:28How?

01:03:28Like I was controlling.

01:03:30I said.

01:03:30Like I was dangerous.

01:03:32Like I was abusive because I didn't argue.

01:03:34Megan stared at me for a second.

01:03:36Then she said.

01:03:37Calm and direct.

01:03:38If you were like that.

01:03:39You wouldn't be this calm.

01:03:40I blinked.

01:03:41It wasn't a defense speech.

01:03:43It was just common sense.

01:03:44I nodded once.

01:03:46Megan took a sip of her drink and added casually.

01:03:49Also, you don't have the face of a man who enjoys controlling anyone.

01:03:53I looked at her.

01:03:54What face do I have?

01:03:56She smiled.

01:03:57The face of a man who just wants to finish his groceries in peace.

01:04:00That made me laugh for real.

01:04:02And it reminded me something important still existed outside Brooklyn's story.

01:04:06Reality.

01:04:07Chapter 12.

01:04:08The Internet Finds Context

01:04:09The Internet didn't save me.

01:04:11It just did what it always does when it gets enough context.

01:04:14It picked a side.

01:04:15I found out from Ryan.

01:04:16He called me on a Wednesday evening while I was on my porch, tightening a bolt that didn't

01:04:20really need tightening.

01:04:21I answered.

01:04:22Hey.

01:04:23Ryan didn't ease into it.

01:04:24Dude, he said.

01:04:26Have you been online?

01:04:26No.

01:04:27I replied.

01:04:28Good.

01:04:29He said quickly.

01:04:29But it's happening.

01:04:30What's happening?

01:04:31He paused.

01:04:32The Portland video.

01:04:33I froze with the wrench still in my hand.

01:04:35The Portland video.

01:04:37I repeated.

01:04:38Yeah.

01:04:38Ryan said.

01:04:39Someone posted it.

01:04:40I swallowed.

01:04:41Brooklyn posted it.

01:04:42No.

01:04:43He said.

01:04:43Not her.

01:04:44Not you.

01:04:45Someone else.

01:04:46I leaned against the porch post.

01:04:47Someone else how?

01:04:48Ryan lowered his voice like the Internet could hear him.

01:04:51Somebody saved it.

01:04:52He said.

01:04:53The full thing.

01:04:54The setup.

01:04:55Everything.

01:04:55He added that some stranger at the bar noticed Kathy and Linda filming first.

01:05:00And decided to record them right back.

01:05:02I didn't say anything.

01:05:03It didn't matter who recorded it.

01:05:04What mattered was that it existed.

01:05:07Ryan continued.

01:05:08The caption is brutal.

01:05:09What does it say?

01:05:10I asked.

01:05:11He read it.

01:05:12Planned public breakup doesn't go as expected.

01:05:15I blinked once.

01:05:16Short.

01:05:17Simple.

01:05:17Accurate.

01:05:18Send it to me.

01:05:19I said.

01:05:20Ryan hesitated.

01:05:21You sure?

01:05:22I'm sure.

01:05:22I replied.

01:05:23A few seconds later, the video came through.

01:05:25I stared at the thumbnail first.

01:05:27Low light.

01:05:28Restaurant glow.

01:05:29Brooklyn's table in the middle of the room.

01:05:31Then I hit play.

01:05:32The angle wasn't perfect, but it showed enough.

01:05:35Brooklyn sitting straight.

01:05:36Speaking like she was giving a prepared speech.

01:05:39Kathy and Linda nearby with their phones upright and angled toward the table.

01:05:43The pauses.

01:05:44The wording.

01:05:45The glances Brooklyn gave toward them like she was checking timing.

01:05:48Then the part where I stood up.

01:05:49The chair scraping back.

01:05:50People turning their heads.

01:05:52The piano still playing.

01:05:53Then me walking out without yelling.

01:05:55Outside.

01:05:56The video caught Brooklyn following me.

01:05:58Her voice louder and less controlled.

01:06:00The guy filming had trailed us out from the valet area like he already knew the ending

01:06:04would be better outside.

01:06:05Kathy and Linda hovering nearby.

01:06:07Confused.

01:06:08And still holding their phones.

01:06:10Then my truck door closing and me leaving.

01:06:12No editing.

01:06:13No music.

01:06:14No spin.

01:06:15Just the scene.

01:06:16When it ended, I sat there with my phone in my hand and felt something I hadn't felt

01:06:20in weeks.

01:06:21Not victory.

01:06:22Just relief.

01:06:22That was the story Brooklyn couldn't rewrite.

01:06:25Because the footage didn't need interpretation.

01:06:27I didn't share it.

01:06:28I didn't comment.

01:06:29I didn't like anything.

01:06:31If I interacted, I'd be back in it.

01:06:33I didn't want that.

01:06:34Ryan texted me an hour later.

01:06:35People are going insane, he wrote.

01:06:38They're dragging her.

01:06:39I stared at the message.

01:06:40I didn't want Brooklyn destroyed.

01:06:42I just wanted her away from me.

01:06:43But the internet doesn't do quietly go away.

01:06:45It does loud.

01:06:47Ryan kept sending updates anyway.

01:06:49Kathy went private.

01:06:50Linda posted an apology.

01:06:52Brooklyn tried to explain, then turned off comments.

01:06:55Now she's not posting.

01:06:56I didn't reply.

01:06:57There wasn't a good response.

01:06:58The next day at work, I noticed the change.

01:07:01Not in Brooklyn.

01:07:02In people.

01:07:03A few guys on site looked at me differently.

01:07:05Not suspicious.

01:07:06More like they understood something without needing it explained.

01:07:09Ryan walked up during lunch and handed me a bottle of water.

01:07:12I gotta say, he said.

01:07:13You walking out like that was insane.

01:07:16It wasn't insane, I replied.

01:07:18It was efficient.

01:07:19Ryan grinned.

01:07:20Efficient heartbreak.

01:07:21That's my thing, I said.

01:07:23Even the joke didn't hurt anymore.

01:07:25Dave Wilson walked by and nodded.

01:07:27You okay?

01:07:27He asked.

01:07:28Yeah, I said.

01:07:29He paused.

01:07:30You want HR to know about the online stuff?

01:07:32I shook my head.

01:07:33It's already correcting itself.

01:07:35Dave's eyebrows lifted.

01:07:36Good.

01:07:37Then he kept walking.

01:07:38That Friday, I went back to the Iron Anchor.

01:07:41Megan was there again.

01:07:42I sat a few stools away.

01:07:43She looked at me and said, you look lighter.

01:07:46I am, I replied.

01:07:47She tilted her head.

01:07:49Good news.

01:07:50Context, I said.

01:07:51That sounds threatening, she said.

01:07:53It's not, I replied.

01:07:54The internet saw what actually happened.

01:07:57Megan nodded once.

01:07:58Oh, I didn't explain more.

01:07:59I didn't need to.

01:08:01She watched me for a moment and said, I'm glad you're okay.

01:08:04Me too, I replied.

01:08:06And that's when it hit me.

01:08:07For months, I'd been trying to fix things in real time.

01:08:10Trying to correct her mood, her distance, her accusations.

01:08:14Trying to be understood immediately.

01:08:15But truth doesn't need speed.

01:08:17It just needs time.

01:08:18Because a performance has to be maintained.

01:08:21Reality doesn't.

01:08:21Chapter 13, Downsizing.

01:08:24Brooklyn didn't fall apart publicly.

01:08:26She didn't post crying videos.

01:08:28She didn't go online asking for sympathy.

01:08:30She just disappeared.

01:08:31I didn't hear about it from her.

01:08:33I heard about it at a hardware store.

01:08:34It was Saturday morning.

01:08:36Cold and damp.

01:08:37Normal Tacoma weather.

01:08:38I went in to grab supplies.

01:08:40Brackets.

01:08:40Sealant.

01:08:41A drill bit if I felt like spending extra money.

01:08:43I was standing in the adhesive aisle when someone behind me said,

01:08:47Christian Jackson?

01:08:48I turned.

01:08:48A man stood there with a cart full of tools and the tired look of someone who lived in offices.

01:08:54Yeah, I said.

01:08:54He smiled politely.

01:08:56Mark.

01:08:57We met once.

01:08:58Brooklyn's office holiday thing.

01:08:59I searched my memory, found nothing useful, and nodded anyway.

01:09:03Right, I said.

01:09:04Mark hesitated like he was deciding whether to say it.

01:09:06So, he said carefully.

01:09:08You probably heard about Brooklyn.

01:09:10I didn't, I replied.

01:09:11Mark blinked.

01:09:12Oh.

01:09:13Then he said it.

01:09:14She lost her job.

01:09:15I nodded once.

01:09:16Okay.

01:09:17Mark watched my face like he expected something.

01:09:19Then he kept talking.

01:09:20Officially, it was restructuring, he said.

01:09:23Budget stuff.

01:09:24Market conditions.

01:09:25He said it like he'd heard it before.

01:09:27Unofficially, Mark added.

01:09:29Lowering his voice, clients complained.

01:09:31About what?

01:09:32I asked.

01:09:33He exhaled.

01:09:34Her judgment.

01:09:35The video.

01:09:35That made sense.

01:09:36They didn't want to be tied to it, he said.

01:09:39Some recognized her, some didn't.

01:09:40But no one wanted the risk.

01:09:42I nodded again.

01:09:43Mark shifted his weight.

01:09:44She's been trying to find another spot in Seattle, but PR is a small world.

01:09:49Yeah, I said.

01:09:50And people remember, he added.

01:09:51He glanced down at the shelves, then back at me.

01:09:54Last I heard she was talking about moving, he said.

01:09:57Minneapolis came up.

01:09:58Minneapolis.

01:09:59I repeated.

01:10:00Fresh start, Mark said.

01:10:02I didn't have anything dramatic to say.

01:10:03I hope she figures it out, I replied.

01:10:06Mark looked surprised.

01:10:07Like he expected bitterness.

01:10:09Yeah, he said slowly.

01:10:10Me too.

01:10:11There was a pause.

01:10:12Then Mark tried to reset the conversation.

01:10:14So, what are you working on, he asked.

01:10:16I held up the sealant.

01:10:17Keeping water out of my house.

01:10:19Mark nodded like he respected that.

01:10:21Smart, he said.

01:10:22We walked toward the front.

01:10:23Before he turned away, he said, you're handling all this pretty well.

01:10:27I looked at him.

01:10:28It's not happening to me anymore.

01:10:30Mark didn't respond.

01:10:31He just nodded and walked off.

01:10:33Outside in the parking lot.

01:10:34I stood beside my truck for a second.

01:10:36No drama.

01:10:37No messages.

01:10:38Just a normal morning.

01:10:39I didn't feel happy about it.

01:10:41I didn't feel like I'd won.

01:10:42Brooklyn, losing her job, didn't improve my life.

01:10:45It just created more distance.

01:10:47And distance was what I needed.

01:10:48I drove home in light rain, turned on the wipers, and kept going.

01:10:52I didn't think about Brooklyn much.

01:10:54Not because I forgot her.

01:10:55Because she wasn't my responsibility anymore.

01:10:57I carried the bag into my house, put the sealant on the counter, and got back to fixing

01:11:02things that actually needed fixing.

01:11:04Chapter 14.

01:11:05Apologies without instructions.

01:11:07Brooklyn tried again.

01:11:08She didn't come to me directly at first.

01:11:10She tested the people around me.

01:11:12Ryan texted me on a Tuesday afternoon while I was outside, working on my truck.

01:11:16Brooklyn reached out, he wrote.

01:11:18She asked about you.

01:11:19Says she wants to talk.

01:11:20I sighed and typed back.

01:11:22No.

01:11:22Ryan answered a second later.

01:11:24Figured.

01:11:25That was the end of that.

01:11:26Then Matt called.

01:11:27Matt didn't do polite.

01:11:28Hey, he said.

01:11:29Brooklyn messaged my wife.

01:11:31Why?

01:11:31I asked.

01:11:32She asked if you were seeing anyone.

01:11:34I paused.

01:11:35Why?

01:11:36Matt snorted.

01:11:37Because she's not done.

01:11:38You want us to tell her anything?

01:11:39He asked.

01:11:40No, I said.

01:11:41Cool.

01:11:42Matt replied.

01:11:42We won't.

01:11:43Then he hung up.

01:11:44After that, the burner numbers started.

01:11:47Unknown caller.

01:11:49Unknown caller.

01:11:49I didn't answer.

01:11:50I blocked them.

01:11:51Then new ones appeared two days later.

01:11:54It felt like spam.

01:11:55One night I picked up by accident.

01:11:56I was expecting a call from Dave.

01:11:58Hello.

01:11:59I said.

01:12:00Silence.

01:12:01Then a soft inhale.

01:12:02Christian.

01:12:03Brooklyn.

01:12:03I closed my eyes.

01:12:05Brooklyn.

01:12:05I said flatly.

01:12:06Please don't hang up.

01:12:07She said quickly.

01:12:08Her voice sounded tired.

01:12:10I stayed quiet.

01:12:11I'm sorry.

01:12:12She said.

01:12:12I just.

01:12:13I needed to talk to you.

01:12:14You don't need to talk to me.

01:12:16I replied.

01:12:17I do.

01:12:17She insisted.

01:12:18I need you to hear me.

01:12:19I exhaled.

01:12:20Brooklyn.

01:12:21Stop calling me.

01:12:22I'm not trying to bother you.

01:12:23She said.

01:12:24That's exactly what you're doing.

01:12:25I replied.

01:12:26A pause.

01:12:27Then she said quietly.

01:12:29I'm sorry.

01:12:30I didn't respond.

01:12:31Not because I didn't hear her.

01:12:32Because sorry didn't fix what she did.

01:12:34Brooklyn waited like silence would turn into forgiveness.

01:12:37It didn't.

01:12:38Finally she whispered.

01:12:39Okay.

01:12:40Then she hung up.

01:12:41For a second.

01:12:42I thought it was over.

01:12:43It wasn't.

01:12:44The next Sunday.

01:12:45She showed up at my house.

01:12:46A little after six.

01:12:48The light outside was already fading.

01:12:50I was in the kitchen washing a pan.

01:12:51When the doorbell rang.

01:12:53One press.

01:12:53Then nothing.

01:12:54I dried my hands and walked to the door.

01:12:56I looked through the peephole.

01:12:58Brooklyn stood on my porch.

01:12:59She looked different.

01:13:00Not destroyed.

01:13:01Just worn down.

01:13:02Her hair wasn't styled.

01:13:04Her makeup was minimal and uneven.

01:13:06Her shoulders slumped like she didn't know what to do with them.

01:13:09I opened the door.

01:13:10Brooklyn looked straight at me.

01:13:11Hi.

01:13:12She said softly.

01:13:13I didn't step outside and I didn't invite her in.

01:13:15I stayed in the doorway.

01:13:17Hi.

01:13:17I replied.

01:13:18Silence.

01:13:19Then Brooklyn swallowed.

01:13:20I know I shouldn't be here.

01:13:21She said.

01:13:22Yes.

01:13:23I replied.

01:13:24Her face tightened.

01:13:25I just.

01:13:25She started.

01:13:26Then stopped.

01:13:27Took a breath.

01:13:28I'm sorry.

01:13:28She said.

01:13:29I'm really sorry.

01:13:30I nodded once.

01:13:31She looked like she expected something more.

01:13:33I was hurt.

01:13:34She said quietly.

01:13:35And I let other people get in my head.

01:13:37I didn't speak.

01:13:38Kathy and Linda.

01:13:39She said.

01:13:40Then shook her head.

01:13:41I listened to them.

01:13:42I listened to everyone except.

01:13:44She stopped.

01:13:45Except you.

01:13:46I said.

01:13:46Brooklyn blinked and nodded.

01:13:48Yeah.

01:13:48Except you.

01:13:49A tear rolled down her cheek.

01:13:51She wiped it fast.

01:13:52Like she was embarrassed.

01:13:53I didn't mean to humiliate you.

01:13:55She whispered.

01:13:56I thought I had to be strong.

01:13:58I looked at her and said.

01:13:59Calm and simple.

01:14:00Strong doesn't require an audience.

01:14:03Brooklyn flinched.

01:14:04I know.

01:14:04She said.

01:14:05I know.

01:14:06She looked down at the porch.

01:14:07I lost my job.

01:14:08She added quickly.

01:14:09Like she wanted me to understand what it cost her.

01:14:12I heard.

01:14:12I said.

01:14:13Brooklyn looked up.

01:14:14You did.

01:14:15Yes.

01:14:16She swallowed again.

01:14:17Okay.

01:14:17Then she finally said it.

01:14:19Is there any chance we can fix it?

01:14:21No confidence.

01:14:22No performance.

01:14:23Just desperation.

01:14:24I didn't hesitate.

01:14:25No.

01:14:26I said.

01:14:26Brooklyn stared like I hit her.

01:14:28No.

01:14:28She repeated.

01:14:29No.

01:14:30I said again.

01:14:31Not angry.

01:14:31Not smug.

01:14:32Just final.

01:14:33Her eyes filled.

01:14:34Christian.

01:14:35She started.

01:14:36I lifted my hand slightly.

01:14:37Not harsh.

01:14:38Just enough.

01:14:39Don't.

01:14:40I said calmly.

01:14:41She wiped her face.

01:14:42Breathing uneven.

01:14:43How can you be so cold?

01:14:44She asked.

01:14:45Voice shaking.

01:14:46How can you shut it off?

01:14:47I looked at her.

01:14:48I'm not cold.

01:14:49I said.

01:14:50I'm finished.

01:14:51Brooklyn shook her head.

01:14:52But I'm sorry.

01:14:53I believe you.

01:14:54I said.

01:14:54That stopped her.

01:14:55You do?

01:14:56She asked hopeful.

01:14:57Yes.

01:14:58I replied.

01:14:59I believe you're sorry.

01:15:00Hope flashed in her face.

01:15:01Then I ended it.

01:15:02But what you want now is relief.

01:15:04I said.

01:15:05Not repair.

01:15:06Brooklyn's mouth trembled.

01:15:07That's not fair.

01:15:08It is fair.

01:15:09I said.

01:15:10It's just late.

01:15:11She looked like she wanted to argue.

01:15:13But couldn't.

01:15:13Then she tried something softer.

01:15:15You were my safe place.

01:15:16She whispered.

01:15:17I nodded slightly.

01:15:18I was.

01:15:19Then why won't you?

01:15:20Because you burned it down.

01:15:21I said.

01:15:22And now you want me to rebuild it.

01:15:24So you don't have to feel it.

01:15:26Brooklyn's face crumpled.

01:15:27I didn't mean to.

01:15:28She said through tears.

01:15:29I know.

01:15:30I replied.

01:15:31And I meant it.

01:15:32I understood her.

01:15:33I just wasn't going to fix it for her.

01:15:35Brooklyn stepped back.

01:15:36Then another step.

01:15:37Okay.

01:15:37She whispered.

01:15:38Okay.

01:15:39She turned to leave.

01:15:40Then stopped and looked back.

01:15:42Do you ever miss me?

01:15:43She asked.

01:15:43I stayed honest.

01:15:45I miss what I thought we were.

01:15:46I said.

01:15:47Brooklyn nodded slowly.

01:15:48Then she walked down the steps and disappeared into the evening.

01:15:51No yelling.

01:15:52No final scene.

01:15:53I stood in the doorway for a moment after she left.

01:15:56Then I closed the door and locked it.

01:15:58I went back to the kitchen and finished what I was doing.

01:16:00Her apology came too late.

01:16:02And there was nothing left to do with it.

01:16:04Chapter 15.

01:16:05A Life That Doesn't Require Commentary

01:16:07My life didn't change overnight.

01:16:09It didn't turn into a new version of me.

01:16:11It just calmed down.

01:16:12The chaos didn't stop because I won.

01:16:15It stopped because I stopped reacting to it.

01:16:17And once I did, the normal parts of my life came back.

01:16:20A few weeks after Brooklyn showed up at my house, Dave called me into his office.

01:16:24Dave's office was plain.

01:16:25Desk.

01:16:26Chair.

01:16:27Computer.

01:16:28Filing cabinet.

01:16:29It smelled like coffee and work.

01:16:30He motioned for me to sit.

01:16:32I sat.

01:16:33You doing alright?

01:16:34He asked.

01:16:34Yeah, I said.

01:16:35Why?

01:16:36Dave nodded once like that was enough.

01:16:38Then he slid a folder across the desk.

01:16:40What's this?

01:16:41I asked.

01:16:42Promotion, he said.

01:16:43I blinked.

01:16:44What?

01:16:44Dave's mouth twitched into the closest thing he had to a smile.

01:16:48Lead heavy equipment engineer, he said.

01:16:50More responsibility.

01:16:51Better hours.

01:16:52More authority.

01:16:54Authority, I repeated.

01:16:55You've been doing the job already, he said.

01:16:57Now you get the title and the pay.

01:16:59I looked down at the folder.

01:17:01Then back at him.

01:17:02That's it.

01:17:02I asked.

01:17:03Dave frowned.

01:17:04What do you mean that's it?

01:17:05I mean.

01:17:06I said.

01:17:07There's no speech.

01:17:08Dave stared at me.

01:17:09This is construction.

01:17:10Go read the paper.

01:17:12I smiled a little.

01:17:13Okay.

01:17:14Dave pointed his pen at me.

01:17:15You earned it.

01:17:16Nobody handed it to you.

01:17:17I know, I said.

01:17:18He nodded once.

01:17:19Keep it clean.

01:17:20You lead now.

01:17:21That means you prevent problems.

01:17:23Not just fix them.

01:17:24That part made sense.

01:17:25The promotion didn't make me happy in a loud way.

01:17:28It made my days easier.

01:17:29I had more control over scheduling.

01:17:31Less running around cleaning up messes caused by people who ignored maintenance

01:17:35until something broke.

01:17:36Competence had a reward system.

01:17:38It just didn't come with applause.

01:17:39That was fine with me.

01:17:41Megan became part of my life in small steps.

01:17:43No big talk.

01:17:44No labels.

01:17:45No pressure.

01:17:46It started with a beer at the iron anchor.

01:17:48Then another.

01:17:49Then a text that simply said,

01:17:51You going Friday?

01:17:52I took her to Harbor Lanes one Thursday.

01:17:54Not as a test.

01:17:55Just because it was Thursday.

01:17:57She walked in, looked around at the flickering sign, the old carpet, the lanes, and smiled.

01:18:02Oh, she said.

01:18:03This is aggressively Tacoma.

01:18:05It's sacred, I said.

01:18:06Ryan immediately leaned in toward me like he was gossiping.

01:18:09New person, he whispered.

01:18:11Megan heard him anyway.

01:18:12I'm Megan.

01:18:13Ryan straightened.

01:18:14Ryan.

01:18:15Nice to meet you.

01:18:16Matt nodded.

01:18:17Matt.

01:18:18Sean offered his hand like he was meeting a principal.

01:18:20Sean.

01:18:21Megan shook it, then looked down at the bowling shoes.

01:18:24These are tragic, she said.

01:18:26Sean nodded seriously.

01:18:27They've ruined more lives than credit card debt.

01:18:29Megan laughed.

01:18:30Quiet.

01:18:31Normal.

01:18:32Ryan handed her a ball.

01:18:33You bowl.

01:18:34Megan stared at it.

01:18:35I teach eight-year-olds.

01:18:36I can do anything.

01:18:38She rolled it straight into the gutter.

01:18:39Ryan gasped.

01:18:40No.

01:18:41Megan turned slowly.

01:18:42Don't embarrass me.

01:18:44I'm new.

01:18:44Matt smiled.

01:18:45That was a strong first attempt.

01:18:47Megan pointed at him.

01:18:48Thank you for supporting my journey.

01:18:50I watched her joke with my friends like she'd been there before.

01:18:53And for the first time in a long time, I felt relaxed.

01:18:56Megan stayed all three games.

01:18:58No excuses.

01:18:59No early exit.

01:19:00No phone checking every two minutes.

01:19:02When we finished, she looked at me and said,

01:19:04Okay.

01:19:05I get it.

01:19:06Get what?

01:19:07I asked.

01:19:08This?

01:19:08She said, gesturing around the lanes.

01:19:11It's dumb.

01:19:12It is, I agreed.

01:19:13And it's perfect, she said.

01:19:15I nodded once.

01:19:16Yeah.

01:19:16Even grocery runs felt different.

01:19:18I walked into a store without scanning the aisles.

01:19:21Without expecting Brooklyn.

01:19:22Without feeling my chest tighten when someone walked behind me.

01:19:25Megan pushed the card and stared at labels like she was doing research.

01:19:29What's the difference between organic and it costs more?

01:19:32She asked.

01:19:33Marketing, I said.

01:19:34Megan nodded slowly.

01:19:35So it's like my entire job.

01:19:37Your job isn't marketing, I said.

01:19:39It is when you're trying to convince kids fractions matter, she replied.

01:19:43I smiled.

01:19:44Megan threw cereal into the cart.

01:19:45Also, I'm buying the good kind.

01:19:47Not the sad kind.

01:19:49The sad kind keeps me grounded, I said.

01:19:51Megan looked at me.

01:19:53Christian, no.

01:19:54That was another difference.

01:19:55Megan didn't accuse me.

01:19:56She didn't diagnose me.

01:19:58She didn't turn everything into a fight.

01:20:00She disagreed and moved on like a normal person.

01:20:02Nothing about us went online.

01:20:04No pictures.

01:20:05No captions.

01:20:06No announcements.

01:20:07We weren't hiding.

01:20:08We just weren't posting.

01:20:09We spent time together without trying to prove anything to anyone.

01:20:13And I realized something simple.

01:20:14Peace wasn't exciting.

01:20:15It was quiet.

01:20:16It was boring in the best way.

01:20:18My life didn't trend.

01:20:19Nobody cared.

01:20:20And that's exactly why it finally felt good.

01:20:23Chapter 16.

01:20:24The Last Coincidence

01:20:25The last time I saw Brooklyn Floris, it was at a Mariner's game.

01:20:28The same place I met her.

01:20:30Megan and I drove up to Seattle on a Saturday afternoon in late summer.

01:20:34Clear sky.

01:20:35Good seats along the third baseline.

01:20:37And enough noise to drown out any thoughts I didn't want.

01:20:39Megan handed me a paper tray of food.

01:20:42Hold this, she said.

01:20:43I took it.

01:20:44What is it?

01:20:44A hot dog, she said.

01:20:46I stared at it.

01:20:47That's not a hot dog.

01:20:48That's a health risk.

01:20:49It's joy, Megan replied.

01:20:51Stop being dramatic.

01:20:53I'm not dramatic, I said.

01:20:54I'm cautious.

01:20:55Megan smiled.

01:20:56You're cautious about everything except heavy machinery.

01:20:59Machines don't lie, I said.

01:21:01Megan glanced at me.

01:21:02People do.

01:21:03All the time, I replied.

01:21:05She smirked.

01:21:06Noted.

01:21:07We sat down while the players warmed up.

01:21:09The stadium buzzed like it always did.

01:21:11Families, couples, loud groups, and people who looked like they were there against their will.

01:21:15I felt fine.

01:21:17Not excited.

01:21:17Just calm.

01:21:18Midway through the first few innings, I got up to grab napkins

01:21:21because stadium food fell apart the second you looked at it.

01:21:24I stepped into line and waited.

01:21:26That's when I saw her.

01:21:27Brooklyn.

01:21:28Not across the stadium.

01:21:29Not a dramatic moment.

01:21:31She was a few feet away near the rail.

01:21:33For a second, my brain refused it.

01:21:34The odds were stupid.

01:21:36But she was there.

01:21:37She looked different.

01:21:38Thinner.

01:21:38Tired.

01:21:39Hair pulled back without effort.

01:21:41Casual clothes that didn't look like a choice.

01:21:43Just something she put on.

01:21:45She looked up and saw me.

01:21:46Her face tried to shift into that old confidence.

01:21:49Then it stopped.

01:21:49Christian, she said quietly.

01:21:52I didn't step back.

01:21:53Brooklyn, I replied.

01:21:54We stood there for a moment.

01:21:56You look good, she said.

01:21:57It didn't sound flirtatious.

01:21:59Just polite.

01:22:00Thanks, I said.

01:22:01You too.

01:22:02She glanced past me toward our seats.

01:22:04She saw Megan.

01:22:05Then she looked back at me.

01:22:06Is that her?

01:22:07She asked.

01:22:08Yeah, I said.

01:22:09Brooklyn swallowed.

01:22:10What's her name?

01:22:11Megan, I replied.

01:22:12Brooklyn nodded slowly.

01:22:14Okay.

01:22:14A year ago, she would have tried to smile through it.

01:22:17Ask questions.

01:22:18Control the moment.

01:22:18Now she just looked tired.

01:22:20I'm moving, she said.

01:22:21Yeah.

01:22:22I asked.

01:22:23Minneapolis, she said.

01:22:25Probably.

01:22:25My firm wants me out there after everything happened.

01:22:28I nodded.

01:22:29Okay.

01:22:30Brooklyn waited like she wanted a bigger reaction.

01:22:32I didn't have one.

01:22:33Good luck, I said.

01:22:34Her mouth twitched like she almost smiled.

01:22:36You always say that, she murmured.

01:22:39Yeah, I said.

01:22:39It works.

01:22:40She blinked fast and looked down for a second.

01:22:43Are you happy?

01:22:44She asked.

01:22:44Yes, I said.

01:22:46Simple.

01:22:46Honest.

01:22:47Nothing else.

01:22:48Brooklyn nodded slowly.

01:22:49Then she asked, quieter.

01:22:51Is she good to you?

01:22:52Yeah, I said.

01:22:53She is.

01:22:54Brooklyn let out a long breath.

01:22:56Okay, she whispered.

01:22:57She shifted back a step like she was letting the conversation end.

01:23:00Well, she said, voice steadier.

01:23:03Have a good game.

01:23:04You too.

01:23:04I replied.

01:23:05She held my gaze one last second.

01:23:07Then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

01:23:10No chasing.

01:23:11No scene.

01:23:11Just walking away.

01:23:12I went back to our seats.

01:23:14Megan looked up.

01:23:15Everything okay?

01:23:16Yeah, I said, handing her the napkins.

01:23:19It was nothing important.

01:23:20Megan studied my face like a teacher deciding if I was lying.

01:23:24Then she nodded.

01:23:25Okay.

01:23:25She took a bite of her hot dog and made a face.

01:23:28This is terrible.

01:23:29I smirked.

01:23:30It's tradition.

01:23:31Megan groaned.

01:23:32I can't believe I paid for this.

01:23:34You paid for the experience, I said.

01:23:36Megan stared at me.

01:23:37You sound like Brooklyn.

01:23:38That hit clean.

01:23:39I almost laughed.

01:23:40No, I said.

01:23:41Brooklyn paid for experiences.

01:23:43You paid for a hot dog that tastes like rubber.

01:23:46Megan snorted.

01:23:47Fair.

01:23:48The crowd roared as the ball went deep into the outfield.

01:23:51People stood, yelled, and forgot about everything except the next 10 seconds.

01:23:55The game kept going.

01:23:57Life didn't pause for closure.

01:23:58Later, during the 7th inning stretch, Megan leaned her head against my shoulder for a second.

01:24:04No message.

01:24:05No performance.

01:24:06Just normal.

01:24:06I watched the field and understood something clearly.

01:24:09My relationship with Brooklyn didn't end in Portland.

01:24:12It ended when she turned it into a public story.

01:24:14I just refused to be part of it.

01:24:16And after that, there was nothing left to argue about.

01:24:18The lights stayed on.

01:24:20The crowd stayed loud.

01:24:21And for once, that was enough.

01:24:22Dear listeners, we have reached the end of the story.

01:24:25Now here's a quick question.

01:24:27Should we do some science fiction?

01:24:29Maybe horror?

01:24:30Maybe something else?

01:24:32Let us know in the comment section below.

01:24:34Also, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe.

She Tried to Control the Ending — I Walked Away Without a Scene

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