4.17

Tragedy strikes when you least expect it. This isn't because it has skill, or some innate ability to hit you at just the right time. No, tragedy isn't that good. The reason why tragedy hits you when your pants are down is because that's the moment when you're actively closing your eyes to the possibility of tragedy.

Take Hubert, for example. He's not stupid. He could see that Sarah was pulling away from him. First, he tried chasing her. It didn't work, and it was disheartening, so he stopped trying and he closed his eyes. Everything was fine. He didn't see anything coming. When she left, he was crushed because he didn't expect it.

Take Sarah, for example. She's not stupid. She could see that Hubert took their relationship more seriously than she. First, she tried backing off. It didn't work, and it was frightening, so she stopped caring and closed her eyes. Everything was fine. She didn't see how she could hurt him. When he cried, it shocked her because she didn't expect it.

Take Matt, for example. He watched the entire thing from the sidelines. He casually knew both parties and didn't do a thing because why bother? Besides, he liked Sarah before Hubert, and now that she was free, he could date her. He asked her out and closed his eyes. Everything was fine. There is no action indicative of a larger pattern here.

Tragedy strikes when you least expect it, not because it's perfectly timed, but because you actively expect the wrong thing.