Great comment. If she had called him, here's the alternative ending:
She stands in a different, much fancier living room, looking at Roy outside. She remembers the blue-collar guy that she left behind to be with Roy. She wonders why she doesn't call him and makes some lame excuses. She has all the same "right" and "normal" thoughts about loss: how hard (but necessary) it is to let some people go, even the ones.
Thanks !! Yeah. We yearn for what we don't have. This could be a boon, a strong driving force towards awesomeness but could turn out evil if untamed. I think she is much happier now, a fanciful living room would eventually wither out sooner or later. And when that sense of loss hits you its intense.
I love this story. likebill, I read it years ago and remembered a lot of it. For some reason, the name, Roy Spivey, resonates more than the rest of the story. I was 45 when it came out.
Since this was published in '07, it's totally plausible that two people could meet on an airplane. There's nothing apocalyptic or dystopian going on. They don't have to discuss social distancing, masks, antibodies, tests, anything like that.
It's bittersweet to read about a world where fun biting a stranger on a plane can be just that. All of these characters are just on the verge of going "online." By around ~2010 almost everyone everywhere was playing around on social, personally or professionally or both. So where the end snaps forward into the future, it's snapping forward to today - a today without social media.
Why do some stories stick in your head? And others are completely forgettable?
To answer that question, I've been going back to some realllllly old stories that had an impact on me. This one was published in 2007. That's 13 years ago. Which means I was 19 when I read it. And I still remember so many details.
What's weird though is that I completely forgot the ending, and now that is my favorite part. I mean, holy shit, those last few paragraphs are spectacular!! But before I just re-read it, I thought that the story ended at the baggage claim.
Perhaps the only conclusion is: Memory makes no sense. It's random.
Anyway: Read this. It's amazing. Miranda July can do no wrong.
This story (and that Carly/Lee video) have me remembering pre-dystopia when it was chill to swap spit with strangers. Fuckin' A. I want to go back!!
Btw, that's what this essay nails. That I want to go back feeling.
I was lost while reading this, totally carried along, seated across the isle from this couple. That’s what great writing is about - forgetting it’s words on paper and somehow feeling inside of it.
I hope Roy Spivey reads here article :) Also i wonder how would the ending be if she had called him.
Great comment. If she had called him, here's the alternative ending:
She stands in a different, much fancier living room, looking at Roy outside. She remembers the blue-collar guy that she left behind to be with Roy. She wonders why she doesn't call him and makes some lame excuses. She has all the same "right" and "normal" thoughts about loss: how hard (but necessary) it is to let some people go, even the ones.
Thanks !! Yeah. We yearn for what we don't have. This could be a boon, a strong driving force towards awesomeness but could turn out evil if untamed. I think she is much happier now, a fanciful living room would eventually wither out sooner or later. And when that sense of loss hits you its intense.
Agreed!
Follow your heart. Takes chances.
Great story. I can envision the whole sequence on the plane!
The whole story is mesmerizing. Somehow I will always remember the skirt part.
I love this story. likebill, I read it years ago and remembered a lot of it. For some reason, the name, Roy Spivey, resonates more than the rest of the story. I was 45 when it came out.
Since this was published in '07, it's totally plausible that two people could meet on an airplane. There's nothing apocalyptic or dystopian going on. They don't have to discuss social distancing, masks, antibodies, tests, anything like that.
It's bittersweet to read about a world where fun biting a stranger on a plane can be just that. All of these characters are just on the verge of going "online." By around ~2010 almost everyone everywhere was playing around on social, personally or professionally or both. So where the end snaps forward into the future, it's snapping forward to today - a today without social media.
This story is unbelievably good.
Why do some stories stick in your head? And others are completely forgettable?
To answer that question, I've been going back to some realllllly old stories that had an impact on me. This one was published in 2007. That's 13 years ago. Which means I was 19 when I read it. And I still remember so many details.
What's weird though is that I completely forgot the ending, and now that is my favorite part. I mean, holy shit, those last few paragraphs are spectacular!! But before I just re-read it, I thought that the story ended at the baggage claim.
Perhaps the only conclusion is: Memory makes no sense. It's random.
Anyway: Read this. It's amazing. Miranda July can do no wrong.
This is amazing. I want to know who Roy Spivey is! This is the part that got me for some reason:
"I might never again stand in the middle of the living room and wonder what to do next."
This story (and that Carly/Lee video) have me remembering pre-dystopia when it was chill to swap spit with strangers. Fuckin' A. I want to go back!! Btw, that's what this essay nails. That I want to go back feeling.
If that link doesn't work, this one should.
Also, why does she never call??
Why doesn't he text?? Are you and I on a reality TV show right now? Lol, just starting to realize that.
Captivating!
I was lost while reading this, totally carried along, seated across the isle from this couple. That’s what great writing is about - forgetting it’s words on paper and somehow feeling inside of it.