With everything that has happened with Max and Javier, I’m a bundle of paranoia and nerves. I don’t know what to trust, and when to assume things are more than face value.
Ground Man: I’ve stunned you into silence.
Me: I don’t know what to say. It’s coming out of left field, honestly.
Ground Man: I prefer right field.
Me: What?
Ground Man: I never liked the saying “coming out of left field.” I prefer saying things are coming out of right field.
Me: That’s … odd.
Ground Man: Never claimed to be normal or average, Kale.
Me: Regardless, I’m not in a place in my life where I can think about a relationship.
Ground Man: It’s probably a long shot anyway. We could be three thousand miles apart. Maybe I live on a different continent than you. Maybe you’re the one who is secretly married.
Me: If I can’t handle a long-distance relationship, I think it’s safe to assume I can’t handle one with someone living in my own house.
Ground Man: Noted.
Ground Man: How about handling a friend? Can you do that?
Me: Maybe? Life is pretty hectic right now.
Ground Man: I get it. I could use a friend, too.
Me: Alright. We can start there.
Ground Man: Would it be too much if we exchange first names? I’d like to refer to you as something other than Kale.
Me: At least that’s a name! Calling you Ground Man in my head seems oddly dirty.
Ground Man: If only you knew, Kale …
Ground Man: First names, no last names, no cities, no job info. There’s no way we can track the other down with only a first name.
Me: That’s true.
Ground Man: You can call me Everett.
Me: You can call me Grace.
Ground Man: Hello, Grace. That suits you.
It’s my middle name, but IknowEverett isn’t his first name either. Nevertheless, I change his contact info in the app.
Me: I have to admit, I don’t think Everett suits you.
Everett: I agree. I never liked it.
Me: Ever thought of changing it?
Everett: Yes, but it isn’t super easy to change a name. I haven’t wanted to change it that badly to deal with all the bureaucratic hoops I’d have to jump through.
Me: It’s probably the same as when a woman changes her name when she gets married. Which is an antiquated and archaic tradition, by the way.
