Chapter 2 - Grant Discovers Dating
He downloaded three apps that weekend. I watched him build the profile at the kitchen table, using a photo from a wedding four years ago, back when he still had a jawline.
"Should I mention the kids?" he asked.
"Depends. Are you planning to hide them?"
"Funny."
By Wednesday, reality had shown up at the door.
"Another one canceled," he announced, dropping onto the couch next to the laundry I was folding.
"Mm."
"This one says she's 'taking a break from men.' Then why is she on the app, Danielle? Somebody explain that to me."
I couldn't, and I told him so — mostly because watching him flounder was the most entertainment I'd had in months. I kept my eyes on the towels so he wouldn't catch my face.
"Maybe she could smell the desperation through the screen," I said.
"You're supposed to be on my side here."
"Am I?"
He didn't have an answer for that one.
May you like
One morning, while he was in the shower, I picked up his phone. Not my proudest moment. Part of me had genuinely worried he'd meet someone — someone younger, someone with free time. Instead I scrolled through a graveyard of unanswered messages and conversations that died right after "hey." One woman had only replied to ask if he could Venmo her gas money.
I set the phone back exactly where I'd found it and hummed for the rest of the day.
