“Yes, but I think you meant that you should’ve come up with the answer quicker, made a move about this before now … but not that I ever needed to be included in any of it.”

“Umm, no, I just meant that I …”

“That’s how it came off. When you said that, just now, that’s what it sounded like.”

“Okay. Sorry. What I meant was …”

“No, I get it. I see what you’re saying …”

“It’s not like I was purposely trying to leave you out, it’s just that, you know, when you’re trying to figure a thing through, a thing like this … it’s sort of a one-sided deal, that’s all. Right?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Come on …”

“No, I wouldn’t. Seriously. I’m big on sharing. On being open about stuff, whether it’s painful stuff or not.”

“Oh, please.”

“I am. I’m completely that way.”

“Fine, I understand.”

“No, I don’t think you do. You don’t or you wouldn’t approach this in so cavalier a manner. My feelings.”

“I’m not being …”

“You’re riding all over them, absolutely you are. This minute. Like one of the Seventh Cavalry or something. It couldn’t be worse if I was some Sioux squaw, running along the riverbank with a baby in my arms, trying not to get shot in the back. I mean it …”

“That’s a little dramatic, isn’t it?”

“I think it’s a pretty suitable metaphor …”

“Well, it’s a bit much, I think. Plus, you couldn’t really … I mean, you’re a man. It doesn’t even really work, your analogy.”

“I know that, I know. But you get my point …”

“I do, yes, but it’s … it just seems kind of grand, that’s all.”

“You think?”

“Sort of.”

“I’m hurt, so I lashed out. Sorry.”

“No, I understand, I’m just saying … look, isn’t it better that I bring this up now than in the middle of dinner tonight, or tomorrow during a second set of tennis or something? I am trying to be fair to both of us …”

“I see. This is you being ‘fair.’”

“Well, in a way, yes. Trying to, anyhow.”

“Great.”

“I really am trying to be …”

“Terrific.”

“See, now you’re just angry. Getting all huffy and everything.”

“No, I’m not. I’m really not.”

“Sounds like it to me.”

“I’m not. I’m just taking it all in. Dealing with it … as our train’s leaving.”

“It’s not going yet, we’ve still got a few minutes.”

“Whatever. Doesn’t really matter, now, does it? It’s moot.”

“Is it?”

“I think so. I think it was invented for moments like this, that word. ‘Moot’ times just like this one.”

“I don’t know. What I’m saying is there’s still time. Whether we both go, or just you, there’s still time to get on board.”