" The next night he pulled away then advanced in a performative way. I thought he was soothing a muscle kink, but he did it again. It was some kind of physical system, shying away from himself then moving into me again. He said, “I’m doing what you asked.” He thought that’s what it meant to be tender, retreat and advance, retreat and advance. I craft emoji-rich responses to brunch invitations, remember paper towels, who likes artichokes, then remember deeper: I deliver hellos, concoct opportunities for his intelligence to shine. I am a Post-it. "

― Marie-Helene Bertino , Parakeet