Camilo Toruno

In Common

Rumner paced back and forth across his living room holding the phone gingerly to his ear. These conversations were always conflicting. One part of him wanted to talk with Carlos, to catch up with his oldest friend, to inquire about his children, and to complain about work together. The other part of Rumner couldn’t stand the banality of their lives. How many times could they talk about their useless coworkers? How many times could Rumner listen to Carlos go on about his children and where they went to school? Who cared about the new puppy his family had just gotten! It was difficult for Rumner to listen to the off-hand comments Carlos made about vacations he went on, or the dinners he went out to with his family. Inevitably, every time he called Carlos, their conversation circled back to Nicaragua and, like clockwork, their shared past. Resentment rose up and he couldn’t help but spit out a harsh comment on Carlos’ maldita vida.