My name is Greta Wilson. I don’t have a middle name. My parents weren’t creative enough. If I had to pick one for myself, though, I think I’d pick Marie. I know, everyone and their mother’s middle name is Marie, but have you ever thought to think about why? People go around scoffing at the most popular thing that everyone loves without really realising why everyone loves it. If they gave it a chance, maybe they would love it too. Maybe they’re missing out because their middle name isn’t Marie. The name Marie roots (through many versions of Mary and Maria) in the Hebrew name Miry?m. Miry?m, like the Hebrew word Marah, most agreeably means “bitter”. You may be wondering why someone with no middle name would choose for herself an overused middle name that means bitter.
Answer:
Because bitter things are good too.
Have you ever tasted dark chocolate? Or drunk black coffee? I have, and I enjoyed them. Spinach is bitter, but people still eat it. Bitter doesn’t mean bad. Bitter doesn’t have to mean a feeling of resentment stored in your chest that’s waiting to manifest in an unkind word or clipped tone. Bitterness can be a dissatisfaction in life, in the times. Bitterness can be the catalyst for change.
Bitter is not inherently bad.
Marie is not inherently a bad middle name.
And frankly, Greta Marie Wilson looks and sounds pretty as hell.
Anyway, I’m Greta, and this is my confession.
?
As of recently, I technically live by myself. My mom left me and my dad for her lover, and my dad’s gone all the time, either away on business or sleeping at the office because he can’t stand to be in such an empty house. I get by alright, thanks to Will. He sticks around, makes sure I’m okay, because it still really sucks that mom’s gone. But I guess it’s a good thing, since our family was so dysfunctional when she was here. Of course, now there’s no family at all, so maybe it’s not so great after all. Not when you’re living it anyway.
I paused just then to go get tea. I love tea. Usually mint teas, but I still enjoy herbal teas – especially when I’m sick. I’ve been feeling a little under the weather for a while now, but there’s been no cold or cough or fever, so I guess I’m fine. And I guess under my circumstances, I can’t really be blamed for feeling bad, can I?
I guess a lot. I think I should suppose more. Guessing is sloppy. Supposing is suggestive.