softly

“My ex is your friend,” I said softly.

We watched silently and then he said, softly, “It’s a privilege to be here in the age of Ohtani.”

The record played softly in the space and a few people sat on the couches, with their eyes closed.

Echoes of her personal catastrophes and softly spoken, reserved tenderness jump from the page.

“I miss you already, Grandma,” I say softly.