Sunny Denial

There’s always that one person in September claiming it’s “basically still summer.” The same person who refuses to put away the patio furniture in November out of pure principle. Optimism mixed with a light dusting of delusion. A cappuccino gets ordered like it’s a personality trait. Heads nod at strangers with confidence that hasn’t earned its stripes. The world looks softer, gently caramel-tinted. Problems feel temporary. Mistakes seem almost charming. Regrets? Atmospheric. Everything appears manageable. Sophisticated, even. Until someone asks if the bill should be split. That’s when reality returns in high definition, no filter, no mercy.