Slept in the spare bed in Marietta's studio, surrounded by her photorealist canvases of household appliances. Sinister vacuum cleaners. An iron at rest on a silver-grey ironing board. A solitary blender, center canvas. Churning a pinkish substance. Strawberry daiquiri I guessed.

She's been asking me to come for several months. Ever since she met Charlie. What is it about a new romance that makes one want to share it incessantly with one's friends?