we hadn't spoken much since an argument over an old family debt, and i wasn't sure whether he'd attend my wedding. he asked an ai assistant for help sorting through the decision
he brought its printed response to dinner, highlighted in three colors. it suggested that attending didn't require pretending the disagreement had never happened, and that he could set boundaries while supporting me
i admitted i'd been afraid he'd skip the day to make a point. he said he'd been afraid i didn't want him there. both of us had let silence do far too much talking
he came to the wedding and gave a short, lovely toast. afterward he claimed the assistant deserved a slice of cake. i ate it on the assistant's behalf