Page 23 of Dear Mr. Brody

Date: Aug 26 10:20 PM

SUBJECT: RE: ASSIGNMENT 2

Mr. Mills,

You are welcome to write more. I’d actually love to read anything you might want to send my way. As I’ve mentioned before, your talent exceeds any expectation I might’ve had for a student taking this introductory class. I maintain that your ability would be wasted in your current course of study and ask that you might speak with your academic advisor. Not all writers are “starving artists.” You’re a writer, Parker. Your voice is genuine. I hope you’ll consider my suggestion with an open mind and be willing to accept how much more you’re capable of.

Donovan Brody

English Department

Winchester State College

I read the email twice, standing in the middle of my room, silent and still. Hadn’t I told Marcos he should do whatever he wanted to? Failure was something I didn’t allow myself. Something I feared. It’s why I’d joined the Air Force.Make Dad proud.It’s part of why I’d stayed in the closet for those four years.Don’t be a disappointment.It’s why I chose communications instead of creative writing.Steady income, easy life.Steady and easy didn’t seem as appealing to me anymore. My mom and sister were always supportive, but this was different. Support was great, but having a person believe in me, believe I was more than those safe expectations I’d set, it untwisted those knots inside me that I’d been holding on to. It made me want to start writing and never stop, to somehow live between my words and bones, somewhere between reality and fiction, to pour myself out onto the page and discover what I was truly capable of. My chest tight, I read it again for the third time and laughed when I realized he’d called me Parker.

Feeling triumphant, I figured he could have the last word, and tried to close out of my email. But the Pegasus chat notification popped up again, and I accidently opened it. Cursing under my breath, I was ready to block the fucker, when one word caught my eye.

Divorce.

@MeAndMyShadow33:I’m divorced. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

@TheL0stB0y: Probably should have let you explain.

@TheL0stB0y: These apps can make a man cynical.

@MeAndMyShadow33:I assure you. I’m divorced. And though I’ve never had a chance to act on it, I have always been aware of my attraction for men since I was a teenager.

@TheL0stB0y: And now you get to test the waters. It’s like reading your favorite book and getting to experience everything for the first time. I’m kind of jealous.

@MeAndMyShadow33:I’m nervous as hell.

@TheL0stB0y: What are you nervous about?

@MeAndMyShadow33:I was with my ex since I was in high school. The dating game has changed.

@TheL0stB0y: And the gender… at least, for you.

@MeAndMyShadow33:And sex. I have no clue what I’m doing.

@TheL0stB0y: You’ll have to find someone you trust to help you with your water wings.

@MeAndMyShadow33:Is that some type of euphemism?

@TheL0stB0y: Ha! No. You’re testing the waters, remember? Water wings… You know those little plastic things kids have to wear on their arms when they’re learning to swim. It made sense in my head.

@MeAndMyShadow33:It makes sense. Apparently, I’m more tired than I thought I was. I’m not usually up this late.

@TheL0stB0y: Late? I thought you said you were 33 not 80.

@MeAndMyShadow33:Ten-thirty is late when you have two jobs.

@TheL0stB0y: And now I feel like a dick.

@MeAndMyShadow33:Don’t, it was funny.

@MeAndMyShadow33:How old are you? If you don’t mind me asking, your profile doesn’t say.

@TheL0stB0y: 23 but I’ll be 24 on September 1st.

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