The thing Liz remembered about Sunil most was the way she’d walk away from him feeling vaguely disoriented. On the surface his emphasis on how sexy and smart she was felt good. It was an ego boost – and who didn’t need that from time to time? – but an underlining current of criticism lurked there. He would take something she liked about herself, say her optimism, and call her a Pollyanna, with a subtly dismissive tone. Who called anyone a Pollyanna anyway? She wondered what the opposite of a Pollyanna would be. Debbie Downer maybe. Or in Sunil’s case, Dickie Downer. Actually, that would have been appropriate on so many levels.
Once when they’d been talking about the future, he’d once told her he didn’t think she had the self-discipline and motivation to handle a job, a child, and a husband. When she’d gotten upset, he’d thrown a little fit and said he needed to be honest with her. She could still picture his self-righteous indignation, his voice, raised a pitch higher than normal as it always was when he was angry.
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I love Liz! You've really created a fabulous character in her. I love also the way her ex alwasy left her feeling vaguely disoriented. This is so original, and yet so universal. I knew exactly what you were talking about. This book has such a terrific tone! More, please.
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