What’d you do this summer?

Don’t ask about my summer. I’m not going to talk about it.

It’s not that I didn’t have fun. I did. It’s not that I’m ashamed of what happened. I’m not. Nor am I barred by a court ruling, written contract or pinky promise from disclosing the details. I have no regrets and a lot of great stories.

But if you ask, I’m not sharing.

No, nothing’s wrong. Home didn’t bother me, though, next summer I am planning on leaving the country. Catching up with friends was fine, but we’re all pretty different now. It was sad at first. I got over it. Then it was fine.

Frustrated? Surprised? Looking for something to say? I know this isn’t what you planned. But old people talk about the weather all the time. I don’t know how to go on for more than ten seconds about the particular details of anticipated precipitation or the relative warmness or coolness of one day compared to another. But it happens.
Here at school, we’re supposed to grow up. Perhaps we should try it.

Or maybe we could talk about movies. I would love to discuss something I saw other people doing on a giant screen. That’s always fun. I get a real kick out of reciting quotes.

Actually, it’s my second favorite type of discussion. Falls right after sharing what we’re going to order while we’re in the car on the way to the restaurant.

Please don’t think I’m being rude. I don’t want it to come off that way, though I’m afraid it is.

It’s just that I don’t want our first exchange to be so ordinary. It doesn’t have to be that way, you know. We don’t have to begin with stories from our time apart. Can’t we just start something new right now?

Maybe it doesn’t work that way. I guess there’s always an awkward time after being apart. We’re just out of routine. Perhaps we have to ease our way back in. I guess we’re starting that now, but can’t it be done already?

And pardon my frustration at your question. I know it’s honest and sincere. I mean, you really do care about what I’ve been up to. That’s clear. It’s just that I get this feeling that when people ask about your summer, they really want to tell you about theirs.

But not you.

This relationship has been forged throughout weeks and months. It’s stood the test of time. We have a very real bond. I wouldn’t suspect that you had ulterior motives or that you couldn’t find anything meaningful to say upon our reunion. I know you didn’t resort to small talk. You’re better than that.

It’s true, not every discussion can be a heartfelt one-on-one. In fact, most aren’t. I just don’t want our first time to be like that.

But anyway, how was yours?