Chapter Seventeen: Reading Comprehension

I once had a friend whom, I thought, was interested in me.

I’d always tilt toward sappy sweetness in our conversations, but it never seemed that the sentiment was returned. I wasn’t sure if he felt the same, or was playing hard-to-get.

I know I had my preferences as to that interpretation. So, I called in a lifeline: I asked another, disinterested friend to have a look.

“Sarah, would you say that Trevor’s into me, if you read this e-mail?”

She leaned over my computer, and skimmed the string of messages.

“No, not really.”

I contemplated this. “Really? What about this part here?” I pointed to a pithier passage.

“Still no.”

Sighing, I leaned back in my chair. “Okay, thanks. I needed a third-party perspective.”

“Anytime.”

I rolled away from my desk, still musing. “I just feel foolish, since I’d swear he was interested.”

She smiled. “That’s because you need to try reading with your eyes, and not your genitals.”