Text Messages
BOOKFRIENDS
June 22, 11:21 PM
RJ.Reads: How did the big event go??!? I’ve been sending good bookish thoughts your way all day.
BookshopGirl: I don’t really want to talk about it if that’s okay.
RJ.Reads: That bad? Did no one show?
BookshopGirl: No, there were plenty of people there.
RJ.Reads: I hope you at least sold a lot of books? (he says, not sure how to get out of this conversation that his friend clearly doesn’t want to be having)
BookshopGirl: It wasn’t just the event, though that was awful. The whole thing brought up some stuff from the past. I’ve been thinking about it all day and can’t seem to stop.
RJ.Reads: I’m sorry.
BookshopGirl: Thanks.
BookshopGirl: You know how characters in books always have a wound from their childhood that drives their growth and the plot? Do you think all people have that, too?
RJ.Reads: I think we all have many, many wounds. Some that we don’t even understand. That’s why therapists have jobs.
BookshopGirl: True. What do you think your wound is?
BookshopGirl: Never mind—that’s none of my business. Sorry!
RJ.Reads: No, I don’t mind sharing.
RJ.Reads: Mine probably comes back to never being enough. I was the participation trophy kid in a first-place family.
BookshopGirl: I can relate.
RJ.Reads: No way. You were probably the smartest person in your high school.
BookshopGirl: Maybe—but then I went to college where everyone was the smartest kid in their high school. I didn’t have what it takes to finish. I had to drop out during my senior year.
RJ.Reads: I’m sorry. I bet that was rough.
BookshopGirl: It was awful. Not just because I dropped out, but because of everything that led up to it.
RJ.Reads: Like…?
RJ.Reads: Sorry, you don’t need to tell me. Just letting you know I’m open to hearing more if you’re wanting to share.
BookshopGirl: Maybe another time. I guess my point is, I can’t shake this deep-rooted fear that I don’t have what it takes to succeed. Not at college. Not in my job. Not in life.
RJ.Reads: For what it’s worth, everything I’ve ever seen of you has made it clear that you’re smart, hardworking, and passionate. I get the sense that you have the ability to overcome whatever life throws at you.
BookshopGirl: Thanks. I hope that’s true.
BookshopGirl: Anyway, that’s probably my wound.
RJ.Reads: Thanks for trusting me with it.
BookshopGirl: Thanks for listening.