Abigail M. Schilling

My desk lamp is so hot right now that I think it's giving me a sunburn. (Not really, don't worry, unless I missed something and I am a rocket scientist and incandescent bulbs do emit UV rays.)(Speaking of UV rays, I haven't been back tanning since you moved, nor admitted to anyone--aside from the people who saw the actual sunburn--our crash course in tanning before the wedding. I've been meaning to go, though, since my "tan" is becoming even more of a joke.)

Sometimes, I instinctively go to tilt the light towards the wall so it won't be in your eyes when you come to tuck me in at night and then I remember that you don't live here anymore. Sometimes I still tilt the light on the off chance you might show up.

Also, I often feel the need to justify the strength of the bulb. Kathy doesn't care--she hasn't even mentioned it. But in the sixty-two times I've almost burnt myself turning it off at night, I hear you in my head scolding me for almost starting a fire with such a hot lamp.

Anyway, just wanted to drop a note saying that it's hard to shake habits you spent years conditioning into me and I'm surprised with how stubborn I am to shaking them. I guess I just love you that much. Or miss you that much.

Regardless, visit soon.

From: Your former roommate