Possession
They did not understand that it was a compliment–the way she referred to them. She never missed the expressions that told her they thought she was rude or intrusive, but that was not what it was, and when they further flaunted themselves before her, it only made everything worse.
‘Your husband’, ‘his girl’, ‘their son’; it was a compliment in the highest regard, but amidst her peculiar mannerisms they never realized this.
“Your boyfriend tells me that you two are going on a trip soon.”
“Why do you always address him that way?”
“What way?”
“‘Your boyfriend.’ Why not just call him by his name?”
“He’s your boyfriend. It’s just what I say.”
“…Alright, then.”
It was not meant to be a slight; there was no derision in her voice. It was respect, if not something much more.
What greater treasure was there, than to have a person to possess? ‘Yours’, ‘mine’, ‘ours’; to be so intertwined with another life that one could refer to them as belonging to your person? There was a depth in such a title–an intimacy, whether it be of a lover, a parent, a sibling, a friend… Each was valuable in its own measure. Was it so very rude to use these titles in reference?
Perhaps she would never understand, just as they did not understand her.
Hey,
Ah, that was pretty interesting. And I incline to agree with those thoughts. Such titles should be an honor and praise to what they have managed to create for themselves. Just as we are called by our titles, to be refered to our bonds with others should be a way to honor them… alas, if honor is not understood by them, how can they understand such a reference?
Keep it up,
- César