SYBIL

That’s how I met Claire.

She was a writing major and would go on to write novels for young girls. And have a baby girl herself. She would marry and divorce. But I am getting ahead of myself. At nineteen, she was a sophomore in the same class with me. I was so preoccupied with myself I barely paid attention to her. Out of context, in a bar, I couldn’t even place her. But all of that would change. Our lives would become intertwined.

“You don’t have to ask me out because I’m an idiot,” I said.

“I’m not,” she replied. “There’s something mysterious about you and that would be intriguing to any woman.”

“That’s not what most of them have said to me in the past.”

“Maybe they weren’t looking close enough?” she said.

“Or, maybe you’re just mistaken?”

“You don’t take a compliment very easily, do you?” she said.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

“I’ll take that chance,” she said.

“I would love to go out with you,” I replied.

“Great. By the way, I’ve seen the girl you are talking about.”

I looked at her in amazement.