I’m glad that I do. Really, really, glad. And I love you so fucking much, mad one.
You’re presenting a pretty good argument already, for the record. You’ve nearly got me sold on the idea of it, and from there the practicalities
Well, the practicalities of anything are always so much more of a challenge, but I want to work these out. The practicalities of architects. Of asking for help or accepting it when it’s offered, and recognising those times and not feeling extra shitty for it.
I really don’t think anything would be enough unless we were actually living together or something, and maybe not even then—I don’t really see Fabian as much as I’d like, even with all the dinners we have together and morning bathroom rushes. Maybe that’s what’s so intoxicating, that we can’t get enough; we never get tired of each other’s company.
And even though I would’ve liked to see you at lunch today, I think I’m glad you didn’t come find me. Because you’re right, this is going pretty smashing so far, and that’s not something to toss aside for easy conversation. This isn’t necessarily easy, but it is important and good and I’m glad we’re doing it.
That had better be a promise. About the nakedness next time.
P.S. I was all set to argue the point some more, but you’re right, we do have to talk, and I want to, it’s not something I have anything to argue against. We have to get in the habit of spelling things out when we can so that when we can’t we can get at least halfway there. And I don’t think signing off is the only way to illustrate emotions, nor do I want it to be. I guess I just want the option to let my emotions influence that. I promise, I’m gonna tell you what I’m feeling, and try to tell you why. But I think that I want that, too, even if it’s only for a little while.
P.P.S. We’re gonna test that theory one day. I think it just might be on the mark.
P.P.P.S. Can we be better about it? Or try to, anyway? Even if it feels like whinging or ridiculous or boring or even all the above? Like the fact that I’m still doing the same shit and we really didn’t take enough days for holidays to warrant this kind of delay and so something has got to be wrong with my progress.
P.P.P.P.S. Is that a challenge?
19 January, 1980, 1:29 A.M.
I know you do. I love you, Gideon.
I want you to know how badly I wanted you out of my life when we broke up. I think you need to understand that and see, and that maybe it will help with everything that’s been going on that you can’t figure out. Because that’s what I wanted. You were in the way. Of what, I don’t know, and I don’t really care now, but we weren’t anything that I wanted, and I wanted you gone.
And then we did break up and I felt guilty. I felt so guilty. And angry. And so much had happened. Not just for us, but with everything, and my brother, and Frank, and Mason even, and I was tired. And I felt used and different and being with you while we weren’t physically together was hard. It was one more relationship that I was so convinced was going to fail and get fucked up that I didn’t want to let it get that far, I think. And that’s why it happened so easily. It was like whatever you said that day gave me an excuse. An out.
I hate myself for it sometimes. For pushing you out. For pushing everyone out, everyone who tried to be there when all I wanted was to be angry and cold and mean. Things with Frank were weird and different, and that scared me. I didn’t talk to Mason at all while he was in Spain. He didn’t even send me a card on my birthday. And you
I’m so glad. I’m so glad that I didn’t let all that angry, mean stuff get in the way of everything. I’m so glad I turned around and listened to that feeling in my gut and stuck with you. I’m so glad that I fixed things with Mason and Frank and everybody and everything else that I was stupid about. Because if I hadn’t done that, if I hadn’t let all of you in, even when it felt weird and wrong and hopeless and cold, I don’t know if I’d still be here. And I wouldn’t have you, and I’d be lost, I think. I’ve never properly thanked you, I don’t think, for all of the stuff you’ve held my hand through. And I don’t know if I ever can because I don’t think there are any words in any of your dictionaries that can do it justice or make up for all of that. Sometimes, it felt like it was just you. And it wasn’t. It’s never as few people as you think it is. There’s always more.
But I think the point I’m trying to make is that those architects are so goddamn important. And practicalities are nothing, really, with people you love, and who love you, even if you don’t think they do for a cold, mean minute. I always want to be your architect. And I know plenty of other people who would be, too. You just have to decide to let us be and let us know that’s what you want.
Anyway, I like it when you say intoxicating. It’s intoxic sexy. That’s the kind of word that you’re supposed to whisper in my ear when I get out of a steamy shower or something, I think.
I’m glad, too. I think it’s important that we keep talking and don’t interrupt. It’s like before, when we stopped with the sex because it makes things seem better than they are. And not that this isn’t better than it had been, because it is. Infinitely, even. But just because they’re better than they have been doesn’t mean they’re at their best and I don’t want us to think they are their best until they are. I want to keep working through this. I want us to be as strong as we have the potential to be. And I don’t think we can do that if we keep indulging ourselves and getting distracted from the working aspect of it.
That being said, I’ll see what I can do.
P.S. I want you to have control over your identity, too. I just want to be in the loop with the why sometimes. And I don’t want it used against me. And I know sometimes you’re not going to want to explain, and I get that. It’s like the things I want to keep to myself sometimes. Like the thing with the bint. I don’t know why. But I would never use it against you, like a bargaining chip or something. And not that it’s ever what you’ve meant to do, but sometimes it feels that way. Like it’s a punishment. And that’s the part I want to get rid of.
P.S.S.S. Yeah, we can. I want you to know what I’m doing, anyway, mostly. At least with that. That’s not one of the special, personal secrets I want to keep, I mean. I’ll save that for snogging Mary and— I don’t know what else, actually.
P.S.S.S.S. No. It’s just informative. I’ll show you when I see you next. Promise.
P.S.S.S.S.S. I’ve included a pair of underwear. You’re welcome.