It certainly says a lot when we spend about 8 hours of the day in the same building but somehow miraculously manage to not even encounter each other throughout the day, and I have spent a ton of time in areas where the chances for an interaction should be high. But no cigar.

Interesting.

I think it's deeper than that. A lot deeper than that. I think it's because the next conversation is either the last conversation ever, or a step in another direction.

And I think they're terrified that the next conversation might be the last conversation.

It's like they're scared but they're not scared in a bad way, such as deathly afraid of being in the same spaces. It's more like they're scared of the interaction that could unfold, or that it could go badly, perhaps? But after seven months of nothing, "I'm pissed at you" wouldn't be cause to avoid.

I also think it is interesting that now more than in the past there has been an actual effort to not be in the same places, and to stay in each other’s respective safe areas.

This is an escalation since before the summer despite nothing at all being said or conveyed to the other person.