The Squid and the Whale is more than just a story about divorce. It’s also about two married writers. The husband is resentful of his wife’s success. And the wife looks down at her husband because isn’t successful (at least that is the husband’s point of view).
I believe that if I was involved with a writer and he was more successful than me, I wouldn’t have a problem. My feeling is that most men would be uncomfortable if it were the other way around. I can type this with great certainty because most men I meet are competitive with me and we aren’t in the same profession.
Scene - I’m in the kitchen and he’s walking downstairs
Me: John? (He knows, he said nothing and sits on the top of the stairs.) I’ve made the decision to leave.
John: Wow, this is hard. (He laid down on the floor)
Me: I know. (I walked over and laid down next to him)
John: We have dinner reservations tonight. (He reaches for my hand)
Me: I know.
We didn’t move or talk for about ten minutes.
John: Do you know what you are going to order?
Me: Lobster ravioli. What about you, steak?
John: Yeah.
Silence for a while longer
John: Are you going to get ready?
Me: Yeah. (I got up)
I received an email from a guy friend who has a girlfriend. He started the email with, “to the sexiest girl I know…”
Hmmm…
I called another guy friend.
Me: Do you think men and women can be friends? Him: No. Me: But we’re friends. Him: Yes. Me: You want to hook up with me? Him: Yes. Me: Oh. Him: I know that we won’t, tho. Me: So, it’s okay with you that we are just friends? Him: Sure, as long as I know I got a shot.