Walking along the waterfront, I stopped at the stall of a lady who handmakes jewelry.
“I’m looking for a necklace,” I said.
“For you?”
“To gift.” I looked over her merchandise. “This one is nice,” I said, pointing to a silvery necklace with a little heart.
“This is tight, ” she said, clutching her throat with one hand. “Like a choker.”
“It’s an interesting message to give to someone.”
“You mean to say it says that love… what? It has you in a stranglehold?”
I nodded.
“I hadn’t thought of that,” she said. “Doesn’t it though?”
“I don’t think love does anything you don’t let it do.”
“Maybe you haven’t really loved.”
“Maybe I haven’t,” I said and thanked her.
I kept walking. I sensed (or imagined) her following me with her eyes. The jewelry lady hadn’t said I overthink things but I knew she was thinking it.