They were standing in a Walmart parking lot when William’s wife turned to him and asked, “Are you gay?” Those three words catalyzed the end of their marriage, and the end of a 22-year partnership filled with many joys and rituals, including the haircuts William’s wife gave him. But those words were also an opportunity for growth — and a chance for William to heal. In this episode, William Dameron shares his story of coming out to his wife and daughters. Then our host, Anna Martin, talks to William about what life is like many years later.
[THEME MUSIC]
Anna Martin: From The New York Times,
I'm Anna Martin.
This is Modern Love.
I recently went through a friend breakup.
It was one of those slow motion kind of implosions,
misinterpretations and mistakes building up little by little,
until it all exploded in a painful, public argument on the sidewalk.
Even though I know it was right to end this friendship,
the ending was just so messy.
This week's essay is about a relationship that needs to end
for both people involved,
and the author is trying to avoid the kind of explosion that I experienced.
He's trying to end things gradually, gently,
but he's struggling.
The essay is called
'After 264 Haircuts, A Marriage Ends,'
written by William Dameron,
and read by Edoardo Ballerini.
Edoardo Ballerini: Elizabeth lofted the black cape,