There was a guy in one of the chairs, waiting his turn for a haircut. He was listening to an audiobook, I think, and had decided to share it with the room. The audio must have been computer-generated rather than recorded with real voices.

“I never trust a woman I haven’t slept with,” said a generic male voice, like a computer trying to teach English to assholes.

“I never trust a woman I haven’t slept with,” it said a second time. Maybe he rewound it to hear the good part again.

I continued chatting with the woman cutting my hair, as one must. I answered, as usual, that no, I don’t have children. I changed the topic, as usual, before she could ask why.

“No. Let go of me,” said a generic female voice. It sounded a little like Siri.

“You’ll like it,” said the male voice, entirely devoid of emotion. I tried to decide whether it would be creepier with human narration. I’m still not sure.

The haircut was okay, I guess. A $15 haircut you’re not sure you like is better than a $60 haircut you’re not sure you like, right? Plus, I appreciate the stimulating conversation and ambience. So I stick with this place.

It’s been a quiet week. Not just because K is out of town, but… well, I guess it’s mostly that. My isolation is harder to ignore when she’s gone. I’ve been busy, actually, visiting friends every day, meeting up for board games, for brunch, for walks around town. It doesn’t seem to make a dent in the underlying loneliness. I’m doing my best not to realize I carry that with me.