One time too many. I said something. She misunderstood.

Or maybe, I misunderstood. Said it wrong. Used the wrong tone.

One time too many.

Maybe we should just not talk.

That's what she said.

Fine.

That's what I said.

I've been trying to stop myself. I keep forgetting.

Three decades. And it's come to this. Finally.

The same argument, so many times.

Recently, it's changed. It's different.

Now there's a note. A small sticker on my computer.

A small note. At the top of the screen.

Shut Up!

To remind me. To make me remember.

It's so quiet now.