The Casual and Obvious Ending of What Was

Summary

The content reflects on the poignant and anticlimactic end of a relationship, likened to the conclusion of a once-engaging television series.

Abstract

The narrative captures a moment of farewell, steeped in the melancholy of a relationship that has lost its warmth and intensity. The protagonist recalls a final morning with their partner, marked by a sense of detachment and the realization that their presence is no longer desired. The rain, once a comforting presence, has given way to a dreary morning, symbolizing the transition from passion to indifference. The use of a text message and an emoji to communicate the protagonist's return home underscores the impersonal nature of their parting. The piece concludes with a metaphorical comparison to a television series, where the protagonist and their flawed partner are characters in a story that ends on a note of disappointment, leaving behind a trace of their existence in the form of footprints in the mud.

Opinions

The author conveys a sense of regret and resignation about the relationship's end, suggesting that the connection was once vibrant but ultimately faded.
There is a subtle critique of the relationship's dynamic, with the protagonist's partner never feeling comfortable in the protagonist's space, hinting at underlying issues that were never resolved.
The mention of the critics' disappointment in the series' denouement mirrors the protagonist's own dissatisfaction with how the relationship concluded.
The protagonist's hope that their footprints are not the only reminder of their presence indicates a desire to have made a more lasting impact on their partner's life.
The use of the smile emoji in a text message is presented as an inadequate form of communication, highlighting the emotional distance between the characters.

A short prose poem and tribute

The last time I saw you, you were naked on your bed, pale and faded as a poem reconsidered and erased.

You never liked my bed. Too cold, you said.

The night before, the calm steady beat of the rain had softened the subtle violence of our conversation.

But by morning the world was just wet, weary, and indifferent.

There’s always a fucking price.

A grey light announces itself at the window, a monochrome filter as I slip on shirt and pants with feigned urgency.

“I have to go. Work. You know.”

“I know,” you said, not turning to face me. “Thank you for coming over.”

It worked best when we didn’t stay, but we always did.

Later, I texted.

“I’m home.” And a smile emoji. What else to use?

Tracks in the mud outside her house, and I am selfish and hope that wasn’t the only trace of me.

The final episode of a series that started strong with a powerful female lead, and a presumed protagonist — later revealed as a secondary character — flawed enough to be interesting but not despicable.

The denouement, said the critics, was disappointing. Still, I was surprised to learn it had been canceled.