I Threw Away Her Ring

Fay had been suffering from severe emotional detachment for seven years, and in all that time, she never once initiated a conversation with me.

Whenever I brought up anything—whether it was a major life decision or a minor household chore—she would only text back a "1" for yes, or a "2" for no.

Even when I laid my diagnosis of end-stage kidney failure right in front of her, she merely offered a flat, distracted "Oh," before turning on her heel to leave for work.

My best friend, Connor, once tried to talk some sense into me. "That woman has less warmth than an air conditioner.