The Fence Between Us

“You’re measuring it wrong.”

“I’m measuring it the way it’s always been measured.”

“That’s why it keeps leaning.”

“It stood fine for years.”

“Years ago.”

“Wood doesn’t forget where it started.”

“Wood rots.”

“You always say that like it’s an insult.”

“It’s an observation.”

“So what, we replace the whole thing.”

“No.”

“Then what.”

“We straighten it.”

“It’ll just lean again.”

“Only if you don’t reset the post.”

“And how do you suggest we do that.”

“You dig.”

“I hate digging.”

“That explains a lot.”

“You don’t have to be clever.”

“I don’t. I have to be accurate.”

“Accurate doesn’t keep it standing.”

“It does if you go deep enough.”

“I don’t see why we’re fixing it at all.”

“Because it’s falling.”

“It hasn’t fallen yet.”

“That’s not a plan.”

“It’s worked so far.”

“So did ignoring the crack in the step.”

“That’s different.”

“It’s the same.”

“The step hurt someone.”

“This will too.”

“You always think things are worse than they are.”

“You always think they’ll fix themselves.”

“They usually do.”

“No. People just get used to the lean.”

“And what’s wrong with that.”

“You stop noticing how much it tilts.”

“Maybe that’s peace.”

“That’s settling.”

“You’re making this bigger than it is.”

“It already is.”

“It’s just a fence.”

“It’s the line between sides.”

“Everything has sides.”

“Not everything needs a wall.”

“This isn’t a wall.”

“It’s trying to be.”

“You’re dramatic.”

“You’re careless.”

“I prefer hopeful.”

“Hope without work is just waiting.”

“And work without hope is pointless.”

“So we need both.”

“Look at us agreeing.”

“Don’t get excited.”

“Hand me the shovel.”

“I knew this would come to that.”

“You want it straight or not.”

“I want it to stop being my problem.”

“Digging does that.”

“I don’t see how.”

“You face what’s under it.”

“There’s just dirt.”

“There’s always more than that.”

“You’re really going to stand there and talk while I dig.”

“Yes.”

“That figures.”

“You’re hitting rock.”

“Already.”

“Means you didn’t start deep enough.”

“Or the ground’s harder than you think.”

“Either way, you have to keep going.”

“This is exactly why people give up.”

“Because it’s uncomfortable.”

“Because it takes too long.”

“Because it makes your hands ache.”

“All true.”

“And yet.”

“And yet the fence is still leaning.”

“You could leave it.”

“And keep tripping over it.”

“No one trips over a fence.”

“They trip over what it represents.”

“You’re impossible.”

“You’re sweating.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I’m pointing out effort.”

“This would be easier if you helped.”

“I am.”

“Talking isn’t helping.”

“It is if you’re listening.”

“I’m listening.”

“Then slow down.”

“I want this over with.”

“That’s the problem.”

“What is.”

“You’re fixing it to finish.”

“Isn’t that the point.”

“You fix it to hold.”

“I don’t know how to make it hold.”

“You set the post.”

“I am.”

“You’re rushing.”

“Because if I stop, I’ll think.”

“About what.”

“About how long we let it lean.”

“That’s already done.”

“I know.”

“Then focus on now.”

“Now hurts.”

“So did leaving it.”

“Hand me the level.”

“You don’t need that.”

“Yes, I do.”

“It looked straight enough before.”

“Straight enough is why it failed.”

“You really believe that.”

“I’ve seen it.”

“In fences.”

“In people.”

“Careful.”

“You brought the shovel.”

“Is it straight.”

“Almost.”

“Almost again.”

“Give it time.”

“How much.”

“As much as it takes.”

“I don’t like answers like that.”

“Neither does the ground.”

“Hold it there.”

“I am.”

“No, you’re letting it drift.”

“I’m tired.”

“Rest without letting go.”

“That’s not possible.”

“It is. You learn it.”

“From who.”

“Anyone who’s stayed.”

“It feels heavier now.”

“Because it’s upright.”

“Ironic.”

“Everything costs more when it’s right.”

“You going to say something wise next.”

“I already did.”

“Is it straight.”

“Yes.”

“Now what.”

“Pack it in.”

“That’s it.”

“That’s it.”

“I expected more.”

“You usually do.”

“So it won’t lean again.”

“It might.”

“Then why bother.”

“Because now it has a chance.”

“A chance isn’t a guarantee.”

“Neither is neglect.”

“I don’t know if I believe this holds.”

“You don’t have to believe.”

“Then what.”

“Come back tomorrow.”

“And the next day.”

“And check it.”

“That sounds like commitment.”

“It is.”

“I don’t know if I’m good at that.”

“You showed up.”

“That’s a start.”

“I’m still tired.”

“You can be tired and stay.”

“Is that allowed.”

“It’s common.”

“I keep waiting for it to feel finished.”

“It won’t.”

“Ever.”

“Not if it matters.”

“So we just keep adjusting.”

“Yes.”

“And if it leans again.”

“We notice sooner.”

“That’s the difference.”

“I didn’t think fixing a fence would feel like this.”

“Like what.”

“Like admitting something.”

“That it needed fixing.”

“That we waited too long.”

“That we’re still here.”

“That last one matters.”

“Does it.”

“It’s the whole point.”

“Alright.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“I’ll bring the level.”

“Good.”

“And maybe gloves.”

“You’ll need them.”

“Even if it holds.”

“Especially if it holds.”