[ CW ] Start writing a story with these words : `` At first it was shocking , but then it became normal . ''

[ First post, so excuse me if I brake any rules better left unbroken: ] 
 
 At first it was shocking, but then it became normal. 
 
 Do not be afraid. Neither of us enjoyed it, but you may just learn to cope. I myself especially suffered from the small talk. `` Hey Mark.'' they would say. `` How's it goin'?''. The weather was either great or awful for the time of the year. The rain - pouring, the snow - late or early, the wind - just plain crazy. Umbrellas were always forgotten on the bus, or at home, or at work. But hey, weather was only part of the problem. There came inquiries about family, relationships, work and vacations. Inquiries I could handle, but not the silent nodding. The empty eyes, the smiles below them, and hands outstretched in afterthought. 
 
 Others found phones to be their own crucibles. Radiating. Infernal. Many dreaded taxes and bank accounts. Cards, numbers, money - congealing in heap-like masses around our lives, spreading like a tumor. Terrifying. 
 
 You see, those were the little things that managed to stick in places we could n't reach. Like mice in the spaces between elephant fingers. 
 
 Do not be afraid. Even though it's perfectly normal, at first. 

