Mark I just don’t know. you know?

Tashi I know, dearling, but still you have to deal with it.

Mark I know that much. I’m asking how.

Tashi The same way you would deal with anything else?

Happy Mark Which is how, exactly?

Happy Tashi Directly?

Mark I’m not always direct.

Tashi No, you’re often not direct at all that was my point.

Mark I like Eric a lot. I might even love him. But…

Tashi But what?

Mark He’s too into his work. He locks me out.

Tashi Literally or emotionally?

Mark Emotionally. He has yet to lock me out of a building.

Tashi There’s still time.

Happy Mark True!

Tashi But for seriously, have you talked to him?

Mark No.

Angry Tashi What do you mean “no” ? You’re upset over this, clearly. It is annoying you and, I would guess, putting the entire relationship at risk if you just wallow like pigs in it and you’re not even discussing it with the boy?

Angry Mark It’s not that simple!

Tashi How is it not simple? How is that?

Mark What if it’s all just in my head and I tell him and he thinks I’m over-reacting and breaks up with me because I’m crazy?

Tashi Oh my God.

Mark I know! It’d be horrible.

Tashi No, that was not what for. You are in love with him.

Mark I might be.

Tashi No, you are nervous like little school girl. Over just talking to him about something less than perfect. That is love. Or possibly freakish obsession, but I would vote for love.

Mark So I’m this worried because I love him?

Tashi No you are this worried because you are a lunatic. But you also do love him, yes.

Mark Huh.

Happy Tashi Yes.

Mark So you think I should…

Happy Tashi Tell him that you love him? Yes. Also tell him your fears. He will listen. It will be fine. He will then know what type of crazy you are, if he doesn’t already, and it will be a growing closer.

Mark But what if he…

Tashi He will not.

Mark But he could!

Tashi He could also lock you out of a building, and yet he has not.

Happy Mark Yet.

Happy Tashi The days are young, yes. Poor Mark. Be a man, be open with your Eric.

Mark Hmph.

Happy Tashi Yes I am calling you a little schoolgirl right now.

Angry Mark HMPH!

Tashi Awww. Poor hurt baby. Would a stick of cheese, all fried and gross make it better?

Mark If the mozzarella sticks are “fried and gross” why are you still eating them?

Happy Tashi I meant gross in a good way. Would a goopy stick of gross help?

Mark …maybe.

Tashi All right then.

Happy Mark Goopy stick of gross?

Happy Tashi They are!

Happy Mark They are.

Happy Tashi Then what is the problem?

Happy Mark There is no problem, these are fantastic.

Happy Tashi Goopy sticks of gross.

Happy Mark So onion rings are?

Happy Tashi Goopy rings of gross?

Happy Mark Of course.

Happy Tashi I did not think it was a long walk from one to the other.

Happy Mark Fair enough.

Happy Tashi And Eric?

Mark Not a goopy anything of gross?

Happy Tashi I meant, will you talk to him?

Mark Yes, mother.

Happy Tashi Hooray! To celebrate we should find more fried things. And beer.

Mark I can’t argue with that plan.

Happy Tashi No one can.