i. I’ve heard people say on various occasions “if it’s meant to be, it will happen.” I don’t buy it. Lots of things never happened that should have.
ii. Talking to Jimi was like having a conversation thru the plexi-glass of a prison visitation room. They could see each other, they could almost touch each other, but a layer of bullet proof glass stood between them and true intimacy. Yet, there were times when the wall was more like the shell of a bubble—thin and pliable and sticking to her fingers when she pressed against it. And Jimi’s shape would begin to take form with her touch, and the reality of his true self would show in defiance of his expectations.
iii. Jimi just didn’t seem to get it. It was like he thought every word Mango uttered about her crushed spirit and just trying to survive was some sort of manipulation tactic. “You don't act like you did before.” She said. “I'm sorry for that, you never leave my mind though.” “The things going on in your head don't talk to me or spend time with me or hold me....they just stay with you and I am all alone.”
iv. “Jimi, I can’t focus, I can’t concentrate on anything! The sound of my thoughts are so loud that reality is just background clamor and white noise!” “I’m trying, I’m doing the best I can. What more do you want me to do?” “Move out! Make the leap! If you’re not happy there, if you don’t want to be married to her you shouldn’t be there. If being with me isn’t enough motivation to leave, then leave because Lizi deserves more than a fake husband.” “I’m ****. I’m just a coward. I don’t like myself for what I’m doing.” “The only one who can change how you feel about yourself is you. Sitting around thinking about how ****** you are isn’t going to change a **** thing.” “Neither is yelling at me.” “Then I guess we’re at an impasse.”
v. Something in their relationship had died. Not unlike the many times Mango’s heart had been broken and her hope had been lost. But it was harder for Jimi, taking that leap of love in the first place was the most difficult thing he had ever done. And now, he had never experienced such intense levels of pain, he thought his heart would literally stop beating, and he would be swallowed up by the enormous cavity in his chest. Mango wanted to know if he could love her again, and he didn’t know, he honestly didn’t know. He wanted to, but now the part of him that feared he would not be enough for her had taken over, and his sense of fear and overwhelm was too much for him to bear.