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By the time I got back in , the radio station had been changed , and the passenger side seat was reclined , indicating to me Pilar wanted to sleep , and not talk . Fine with me . I was willing to wait until we got to Michigan to say whatever I needed to . The radio show we were listening to kept me entertained , mixing funny stories and anecdotes with soul music . I adjusted the volume up , in an attempt to drown out Pilar ’ s snoring . I should have been used to it , but we didn ’ t live together , and in recent weeks , we hadn ’ t been intimate on any level . I knew enough about Pilar to write her biography , knowing she only snored when she hadn ’ t been getting enough rest . She hasn ’ t been telling me much about her activities lately . I cruised , letting the radio show act as my co-pilot . When you find a level of contentment and acceptance in the depths of your soul , don ’ t let anybody tamper with your peace . I was in a peaceful place , content with the decisions I ’ d made . Pilar woke up a couple of hours later , about an hour away from our destination . The radio station was starting to fade out , and I hadn ’ t bothered to switch to another . My mind was elsewhere , and I wished Pilar had remained sleep .
Out of the corner of my eye , I watched her patting her pockets . Then she retrieved her purse from the back seat , and started rummaging through it . Here we go again , I thought to myself , she ’ s forgotten something . “ We need to turn around , I left my cell phone . I sat it down by the window when I was waiting for you to show up . If you ’ d been on time , this never would have happened ,” she said , a note of anger in her voice .
“ I was seven minutes late . We ’ re almost there , and I ’ m not driving three hours back to Chicago for you to retrieve your phone ,” I said , in a calm voice . “ As long as you have your wallet and ID , you ’ re fine . This weekend is supposed to be about us , not anything else . Who do you need to talk to that ’ s so important ? You ’ re with me .”
“ That ’ s not the point ,” she snapped . “ I have friends I need to be in contact with , so they ’ ll know I ’ m alright . I feel naked without my phone , disconnected .”
" I hoped so , but then again , I hoped not . I ’ m not so easily replaced ."
“ This weekend is about disconnecting , so whoever you need to talk to will have to wait until we get back ,” I said .
Silence reigned for the majority of the rest of the ride . I could feel the anger emanating from her , and for the first time in our relationship , I could care less . If anybody should be angry , it should be me .
In a relationship , when someone starts to change , it usually means something in their life has shifted . Maybe their focus wasn ’ t on the relationship any more because they were determined to put themselves first . Maybe they weren ’ t as in love with you as you were them . Or perhaps they ’ d met someone else .
The other night , while daydreaming about all of the sexual activities Pilar and I would indulge in this weekend , I had a disheartening realization . We hadn ’ t made love in at least three weeks , which was strange for us . Typically , we couldn ’ t keep
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