People seem to make a habit, perhaps unwittingly, of selectively hearing only what they want to hear. It frustrates me, because I’m the kind of person who endeavours to say exactly what he means, without subtext or innuendo. Some believe the explanation for this has to do with being “open” or “closed”, but to that I say bollocks. Being open in that context is little more than being totally and ridiculously vulnerable with every aspect of self. Hearts yet need to be guarded. Certain vital elements yet need to be treasured.

When someone who is close to you does this – hears what they want to hear, rather than what’s being said – it’s damaging. In some cases, irreparably so. And a damaged friendship cannot continue as it was. A part of you dies and experiences its own kind of grief, which evidences the deep connection longed for, having become newly impossible.

What was is truly gone, and yet the longing still pains.