Things I’ve Overheard My Roommate Say to Her On-Again/Off-Again Boyfriend or Works by Joyce Carol Oates?

1. Where are you going? Where have you been?

2. When will you be back?

3. Come closer.

4. Come meet Muffin!

5. Where is Little Reynard?

6. Something is wrong, something isn’t right.

7. I lock my door upon myself.

8. Wait, whose keys are those?

9. Should I believe you?

10. Will you always love me?

11. Give me your heart.

12. I gave you my heart, jerkface.

13. Because it is bitter, because it is my heart.

14. Your heart is salty, your heart tastes like playdough.

15. I stand before you naked.

16. Do with me what you will.

17. Yes, that’s it.

18. Naughty Cherie!

19. You must remember this.

20. You can’t look me in the eye.

21. After the wreck, I picked myself up, spread my wings, and flew away.

Roommate: 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, 17, 20
Oates: 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21
Both: 4