Deirdre James

It was a serious conversation, but not about love or men or marriage. We used our choices like a friendship ledger. Who claimed spaces in our platonic hearts. Who mattered most. Whose credit ran deepest. Sometimes we would recalculate, drop a name off, add a name on.

Watch the list of entrees diminish from 10 to 2, or 1, or none. Stare at the appetizers and wonder if you can survive indefinitely on meals made of garlic bread, salad, and mozzarella sticks. At least you can still eat the desserts?