“ commonplace, adj. ... But then I'll walk into the bathroom and find you've forgotten to put the cap back on the toothpaste again, and it will be this splinter that I just keep stepping on.”

“flagrant, adj. I would be standing right there, and you would walk out of the bathroom without putting the cap back on the toothpaste.”

“antsy, adj. I swore I would never take you to the opera again.”

“I leave her in the bed. I put on my clothes, pick up my keys, and close the door behind me. I turn back. I keep turning back to see her. Even when there are walls between us. I keep turning back. I keep turning in her direction.”

“aloof, adj. It has always been my habit, ever since junior high school, to ask that question: “What are you thinking?” It is always an act of desperation, and I keep on asking, even though I know it will never work the way I want it to.”

“We just want to walk. Our legs need to move to keep our minds from collapsing.”

“candid, adj."Most times, when I'm having sex, I'd rather be reading."This was, I admit, a strange thing to say on a second date.I guess I was just giving you a warning."Most times when I'm reading," you said, "I'd rather be having sex".”