Slowie played to lose.

“The errors have mounted. I remember my best impersonation as a man.”

“It’s not possible.”

“I stayed as far away while staying very close. I could hear his breathing all the time. I would text him to schedule our bedroom tet tet tet, grounding the hours down to late; trying my best to avoid the bulk of his day—any rejection…”

“You can’t be rejected”

“I can be. Again I stayed away but was very close. I was running a good game. He sounded hooked, but confused. He started to be confused, but retreated when I didn’t bite. This was the volleying that wouldn’t be good for me.”

“Doesn’t seem simple.”

“Mapped out that way, but nothing like it. His apprehension turned into the building blocks for somebody else.