"A Journey" by Edna O'Brien
... narrator does not know how they started, where they are going, or if they are going anywhere in a relationship. It is a journey of uncertainty. The whole journey and relationship seems to be some kind of denial and avoidance. Boyce avoids being public with her. They avoid expressing their feelings to each other. The narrator fears not knowing, not knowing where their relationship is going or if there is going to be one. She is subconsciously aware of the fact that he will not be with her. He will not leave his woman to be with her. And yet consciously she hopes that he will. “ Will we be together” she said. “It will take time,” he said. “How long” she asked. “Months, years…” he answered. (O’Brien 371) She is hearing what Boyce is responding but still ignoring every response. He is clearly telling her that there will probably be no other chance. At the end she also doubts he...