“My Loveless Husk of a Marriage Is a Much Better Role Model”

Overheard on the flight from Denver to La Guardia. A 30-ish man is chatting with his seatmate, a woman in her late 40s. He has just confided that he’s moving in with his fiancé tomorrow.

Him: “Tonight is the last night I’ll live alone for the rest of my life.”

Her: “It’s good that you’re living together first.”

Him: “I don’t need the practice. I lived with someone before.”

Her: “Male or female?”

Him: “Uh, female.” Pause. “We were married.”

Her: “And you want to get married again?”

Him: “Well, I want to marry her.”

Her: “Oh, well, that’s good. I’m sure you’ll be very happy.”

Him: “Are you married?”

Her: “Yeah. I would get divorced, but I don’t want my kids to think that’s okay.”