Erik Swanson

Maine

I broke up with my girlfriend. This tragedy made me realize what a self-centered jerk she is. The Globe had an article on post-traumatic stress disorder. It said that a common response when we feel threatened is to create enemies. It makes me think I'm wrong, I should love her and understand her. Realize that nobody's perfect. I'm not perfect. The first day, it was worry, protect, hold. We had sex almost the whole time. But when I got the call about my friend Ann Marie's death it all changed. Clearly, my girlfriend considered this death a hassle. On Thursday night I went to her house, partly because she has cable, partly because I needed to be close with someone. I was utterly exhausted. I would react negatively to something on the news and she would respond with, "What do you expect?" Well, Ms. Know-It-All, nobody expected this. She was getting ready to go out to the bar, and expected me to accompany her. The next day I had to go to Ann Marie's funeral. I was so angry at my girlfriend I couldn't see. I want to burn every one of those American flags.