DT Only Reads My Stuff If It’s Really Short Because He’s a Baby with a Wife and Kids and Adult Responsibilities Blah Blah Blah
My buddy, Kevin, texts me and our other buddy, DT, that he’s feeling a surge of hope and healing coming his way.
DT texts us that he’s thinking of applying to a job, that he’s hitting the point where he hates what he does.
I text them that I don’t know how long I can keep this up, but I’m feeling especially inspired and productive and like a new me.
*
I go on a run and TV on the Radio sing:
Oh, I keep telling myself
"Don't worry, be happy"
Oh, you keep telling yourself
"Everything's gonna be okay"
*
I text Kevin and DT to don’t worry, be happy.
DT texts, Like that annoying dumbass song from the 80s?
Kevin texts, Didn’t you write an essay about that song?
I text back, Actually, yeah, but I was quoting TV on the Radio not Bobby McFerrin. But maybe they were quoting Bobby McFerrin?
Kevin texts, Probably.
DT texts, Dumbass.
I text back that everything’s gonna be okay.
*
I read this excerpt from a Joy Williams short story:
“You’re a Christian, right? I bet, I mean, I can imagine it.”
"I believe in guilt and longing,” Liberty admitted. “Confession and continual defeat. The circle and the spiral."
*
DT texts that he needs a fucking break from… life.
Kevin texts back that life doesn’t allow breaks for artists.
I text back that I am currently taking a break from life, and that I recommend it.
*
I go on another run and TV on the Radio sing:
Rain comes down like it always does
This time, I've got seeds on ground.
*
I text my buddy, Kevin, and our other buddy, DT, asking if they’ll read a new lil short thing I wrote.
DT texts back, How many words? I only have time for a certain amount of words.
I text, 400.
DT texts, I have time for that.
DT reads the story. Really good ending, he texts.
Kevin doesn’t text anything. Maybe he’s busy, in the middle of a surge of hope and healing.
*
I go on a run and think about circles and spirals, and guilt and longing, confession and continual defeat.
*
Kevin texts that he was busy but that he liked the story.
DT texts that he has officially applied to the job he told us about.
I text that I finished another new story and ask if they want to read it. I tell them it is about guilt and longing and confession and continual defeat.
Kevin texts, YES.
DT texts back, I don’t know if I’ll have time today but send it anyway.
I text back that this one is closer to 750 words.
Kevin texts that maybe I could cut it to 500 words.
I text back that I knew when finishing it that it was probably more words than DT would have time for.
Kevin texts a long, dumb, jokey title, the idea being that it might get DT’s attention and make him want to read it.
*
I go on more runs; I listen to more songs; Kevin and DT and I text each other about hope and healing, about inspiration and productivity, about needing breaks and taking breaks, about life being circles and spirals; I read more stories with excerpts that grab my attention; I see in everything — in runs and songs and texts and stories and friends and life — potential and beauty, a wealth of seeds on ground; I write more stories; I write this story; I send this story to Kevin and DT; I send this story to you.