They sat on the couch watching Shark Week. Seven whole days and nights of nothing but sharks on television.  She didn’t want to miss a minute of it.

Blankets were wrapped around her and a bowl of popcorn at her side; her left hand was greasy from the butter and salt. Her other hand held the remote. She would not let go of it; like some life line. The tall brunette needed it to exist. 

He looked at his phone every once in a while to see what the time was. Every fifteen minutes, he checked it. Nine o’clock. Quarter past ten. Eleven o’clock. Two hours had passed. And still, it was nothing but sharks. People in search of sharks. Divers in cages teasing sharks. There were even people dancing with sharks. It would not stop.

He grabbed some kernels, which stuck to his teeth. Tried to hold her hand like in the old days. Her eyes remained transfixed on the deep blue and its predators.

Isn’t this fascinating? She asked. I love Shark Week. Tomorrow night, a whole new show. I can’t wait.

Yes. Yes, it is true. Of all the cable channels we have, which cost over a hundred a month, we’re watching sharks. Yes. It is truly fascinating. I must admit, he looked at her. My interest in TV was starting to dissolve. But those sharks. Drew me back into a whole new world. 

Stop.

No. Really. Fascinating.

We could learn something from sharks.

Oh, I’m sure.

Yes. We can.

Like, how they mate?

We’re going to find out this week.

I can’t wait.