A vision in the trees
Earlier this year, I dated someone who told me chickens slept in trees. I refused to believe him, but our chatter helped at a time when I was overwhelmed with grief over my grandmother’s death. Things weren’t going well for Chicken Man. A few months later, late at night, I saw a fluffy white ottoman high up in a tree. It was a chicken I often see in my Singapore neighborhood. I laughed out loud at no one in particular and thought about my grandmother, Chicken Man, and how life offers us unexpected little moments of joy. — Shu Wen Chye
A simple friendship
“Blah-blah?” she would say knocking. Only 2, Isabelle ventured through the hallways of the building to my apartment. Together we would water my plants or scribble a story. When she was three, she told me all about Peppa Pig. At 4 o’clock Isabelle came to my door and said, “Bra bra, taste mama’s kheer.” We enjoyed its delicate sweetness. On East 84th Street in Manhattan we saw tulips bloom, leaves fall and snow arrive. “Hello, Barbara,” Isabelle said at five. She sat on my windowsill, counting taxis and dogs. Unlike the complicated guys I dated, she’d just enjoy it if I offered Isabelle a tangerine. — Barbara Field
A promise at Desolation Peak
In December 2019, Cai and I drove to Desolation Peak in Washington State to discuss a national crisis that now dwarfs. “When the apocalypse comes,” I said, “can we join in?” “Of course.” We laughed nervously and sincerely. Days later we said ‘I love you’ for the first time. In March 2020, Cai and I drove to Independence, Oregon. “Remember a few months ago when we talked about being together before the end of the world?” asked Cai. ‘Were you serious? Because I was serious.” I was and am serious. In these uncertain times we hold on to each other. — Claire McDonald
More chess? “Yes.”
We met at a chess tournament when we were 17. He asked me if I wanted to play more chess. I said yes.” The next morning we met at a nearby park in Montreal and played a few games. We continued to play at lunch, on the bus ride to an amusement park, at a picnic table, under the picnic table, over dinner at KFC We even played “blind chess” visualizing the game while queuing for ice cream. When the day was over he leaned over and kissed me. We soon realized we liked chess much more than this kissing thing.— Olya Kaye
