I stayed in the shower for three extra minutes because nobody could ask me anything there

Dear Delyara, The water was warm. The room was fogged. My name did not exist for a moment in the tone that means answer now. I think that is what I was really standing under — not water, but temporary inaccessibility. There is a particular relief in not being reachable when you have spent the whole day being emotionally and practically available. The shower isn’t always relaxation. Sometimes it is the only room in the house where demand can’t enter without looking absurd. I turned the water off reluctantly. That probably says enough.