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Cómo Aguantamos

The thing Terry hates most about going back to England, even on vacations, is that it’s like coral: a living dead thing. There is sweet nothing to do. Football. Sky television. The cancer of the reminiscence.

Cheating

A facelift, a name tag that says Allen, an unanswered knock

Disguises

A black wig, four long red marks spaced like fingers, a black polyester shirt with white polka dots

Last Bid

He is genuine and soft, not flirting or wanting anything, and his kindness drains her. But it also sends her a wave of courage; his honesty has made way for hers, and she will try to get as close as she can to saying what cannot quite be said.

Privacy

A twenty-year affair, a toothbrush, a religious cult

Blind Spots

A portable electronic keyboard, a tumor, a charge of solicitation

Sunbeams

There is a rhythm to the ending of a marriage, just like the rhythm of a courtship — only backward. You try to start again but get into blaming over and over. Finally you are both worn out, exhausted, hopeless. Then lawyers are called in to pick clean the corpse. The death has occurred much earlier.

Erica Jong

The Notary Public

Divorce

A safe-deposit box, a black-and-white TV, a Christmas gift