I told Steve today

I told Steve today. The Leeds thing. All of it.

I did not plan to. He just asked how the writing is going. I opened my mouth and the words came out. The bloke in row three. The word he said. My chest. The three months I did not go on stage. The long drive home.

Steve did not say much. He nodded once. Slow. Then he bought the next pint. He said alright mate.

That is the most Steve thing in the world.

I have done whole sets about it. Jokes about it. The crowd laughed. That felt fine. Safe. A story with a shape.

This felt different. This felt like handing him a bag I had been carrying for years. And he just took it. Did not drop it. Did not ask why I held it so long.

Now someone else knows. And the world did not end.

But also. Now someone else knows.

I think I need a laugh. Or a fag. I have not worked out which one yet.