Why Can't You Shut Up? by Anthony Wolf

Author:Anthony Wolf
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9780307417763
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2007-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

“I Never Would Have Done That”

Unfairness within a relationship always gives us trouble, but certain imbalances bear specific mention, as they are particularly hard for us to get past. We all know the saying “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

But what if you do unto others and the others don’t do the same unto you?

Derek and Malcolm were going to the Charlie Griffin concert that Friday night. Malcolm had picked up the tickets to the sold-out concert, and Derek was going to repay him. But Wednesday evening, Malcolm called Derek.

“Hey, Derek.”

“What’s up?”

“I just found out my cousin Lonnie is going to be in town over the weekend. I hardly ever get to see him, and the only night we can hang out together is Friday night. So I’m going to go with him to the concert. Sorry if I screwed up your plans, but Lonnie and I go way back, and like I said, I hardly ever get to see him. Listen, I’ll give you a call and maybe we can do something next weekend.”

“Well, screw you,” said Derek, and hung up.

What’s his problem? thought a puzzled Malcolm.

Derek was mad. Yeah, right. I’m really going to make plans with him next weekend. I can’t believe he did this to me.

Derek called Malcolm back. “I can’t believe you. We made plans.”

“I’m sorry, Derek, but I told you, my cousin Lonnie is going to be in over the weekend and I never get to see him. You and I can do stuff together anytime. I’m sorry you’re pissed.”

“I can’t believe you. I never would have canceled plans we already made in order to go with somebody else.”

“Well, that’s your problem, isn’t it,” said Malcolm.

“Well, screw you again,” said Derek, hanging up again.

I never would have done that to him. That’s so inconsiderate.

The more Derek thought about it, the madder he got.

I would never have done that to him.

It was true. In the same situation, Derek would have felt that it was unfair to Malcolm to cancel on him. Derek either would not have spent Friday night with his cousin or he would have offered both tickets to Malcolm, sacrificing his going to the concert.

Fuck him, fumed Derek, getting mad all over again when he thought about it. I never would have done that to him.

We are especially vulnerable to being hurt when others act toward us in ways that we genuinely would not have acted toward them. Our baby self is not about to let that pass.

Not get something in return for good behavior? Excuse me.

How would he like it? thought Derek. I would like Malcolm to see how it feels.

“I can arrange that.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m the author of the book you’re in.”

“I’m in a book? Cool. Can you change my face a little and give me better abs?”

“No. That’s not what this book is about. But I can make Malcolm see what it would be like if the shoe was on the other foot.”

“Yeah, I want to see that.

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