What? I don’t get it. You feel like curling up in a ball? Why would you need to curl up in a ball?
It’s a metaphorical ball. Not a real one.
Any kind if ball. Real or imagined.
Protection? Self defense? Surrender? To sulk?
None of those things sound much like you.
Not even the sulking?
You spend more time saying you’re going to sulk than actually sulking.
I don’t really feel like sulking right now.
What do you feel like?
I already told you. I feel like curling up in a ball and pulling the covers over my head.
But why?
Because!
Because?
I don’t know.
You don’t know?
No.
No?
Stop it.
You do know. Or you have some idea.
I’m tired.
Tired? So take a nap. Go to bed early.
Mentally. Emotionally. If I curl up in a ball, maybe it would be like an emotional nap.
Do you need a hug?
Definitely. The biggest one ever.
How come?
Because.
Don’t make me use physical force…
Because I feel really awful about myself, and I know I shouldn’t and I know there isn anything wrong with me and a lot of things are very right about me and I feel awful about myself anyway and I feel guilty and stupid about feeling this useless and stupid anyway and I am tired of feeling all the time.
Take a breath. What is going on?
I keep ending up with bruises real bruises and just bruised feelings and i’m tired of physical damage lasting longer than the relationship.
Huh?
I’m sorry.
Why are you apologizing to me? You haven’t done anything to me. I just can’t figure out what you’re saying?
I’m being a baby.
You’re having a shitty day. It’s OK.
No it isn’t.
No? You don’t get to have bad days?
No. Yes. I mean, I should be able to handle it better.
Should you?
Yes.
Why?
Because.
You don’t even really know, do you?
Because I am not four. I should be a grownup.
Don’t grownups have shitty days?
Of course, but they don’ whine and carry on about it like I do.
You do have a certain flair.
You’re mean. I’m having a bad day. You should be nice.
Crybaby.
Sniff.
Please don’t really start crying.
I won’t. I can’t cry when you aren’t being nice to me.
What?
Well, if you were really being mean to me, I’d cry. But you’re only being mean to me because you know it makes me cry when people are nice to me.
You could tell?
Yes, because you’re never mean to me really.
I could start any time I want to.
You don’t want to though.
No, I really don’t. I want you to be happy.
Because you’re awesome.
No, because you are.
I told you not to be nice to me!
Noooo oh god, don’t cry.
Stop being nice to me!
Oh, go curl up in a ball somewhere you dork.
Thank you.
Weirdo.
Don’t over do it.