Four (or Five) Words

*please note: All is fine in my household, my marriage, etc. This is just a rambling of thoughts. No worries.* The worst four words in the English language are "we need to talk". Worse, still, is the added word, "we really need to talk". Coming from a parent, friend, or lover, this mere sentence will almost always strike fear into one's heart, sending a wave of what-if's and what-did-i-do's racing through the brain. Your palms get a bit sweaty, you find it hard to swallow. a tight knot forms in your stomach, and you are filled with dread. You sit down, staring curiously at the speaker of this horrid phrase, or press the phone tight to your ear. You wait. All you can do it wait. Even with a clean conscience, you worry about being accused of some wrong doing, worse still with a guilty conscience. After you've wracked your brain, finding nothing, you start to worry about the speaker's health. The health of those they know, that are also dear to you. They sigh, afraid to meet your gaze, or to choke out that first, usually life altering, heart breaking sentence. What will it be? "I think we need to take a break." "I'm sorry, she's gone." "Who is Joe, and why are his clothes in my closet?" "I think I need to go to the hospital." Absolutely nothing good comes from the phrase, "We need to talk." Ever.