Page 188 of Playing By Ear

“Yeah.” He drew the word out into two syllables. That couldn’t be good.

“What did he say?”

“Well, you know, basically it’s not, erm, the sort of thing that, erm…”

“Just read it, don’t summarize. Did he have feedback?”

“Aye, but it’s not constructive. I’ll delete it.”

“No!” Perry grabbed for the phone and missed as Jamie pulled it away. “I need to know what it says.”

“All right,” Jamie said in a don’t-say-I-didn’t-warn-you tone. “First paragraph, the basic thanks for your submission, et cetera, and then it gets down to brass tacks.” He hesitated. “‘The subject matter,’ he says, ‘is a bit lurid for this publication, and⁠—’”

“Lurid? They run a weekly sex-advice column.”

Jamie paused, then proceeded. “‘…and the framing of sex work as a disability-visibility issue will not make it more palatable to readers. On the contrary, it may provoke the sort of sensationalist dialogue I assume you wish to avoid.’”

“Assume?”

“New paragraph. ‘As a colleague, I urge you to think twice before sharing this confessional with the world. A writer’s reputation is his most precious asset.’”

“That’s profoundly untrue.” A dozen successful, scandal-ridden authors sprung to mind.

“‘Furthermore…’ Perry, I’m so sorry,” Jamie interjected. “‘Furthermore, if you decide to pursue this piece’s publication, either in another outlet or on your own, it may be necessary to reconsider our relationship going forward.’”

“‘Reconsider’—wait, are they saying if I publish this, they won’t work with me again?”

“Sounds like it.”

“This is madness.” Perry pushed back his hair with both hands. “Or maybe I’m the mad one. What sort of bubble have I been living in that I thought people would want to hear this story?”

“It’s just one guy, and he’s wrong. If he doesn’t get what you’re trying to do, then you don’t want to work with him.”

“But I do. We’ve always been in sync before.” Perry wiped a hand over his flushing face. Rejection happened every day in the writing business. Over the years, he had learnt not to take it personally.

But this felt personal. This cut deep.

“Check my inbox to see if the other editor has replied yet.”

“I don’t see it,” Jamie said. “Maybe that’s a good sign? Rejections come quickly, acceptance takes time?”

“Maybe.”

“For what it’s worth, I believe in you. You’ve got something important to say. Fuck anyone who doesn’t understand.”

“Thank you.” He leaned into the hug Jamie offered.

Footsteps hurried down the stairs, then someone entered the kitchen.

“Perry,” Norma said, “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Can I make you something for lunch?”

She gave a light laugh. “A tempting offer, but it’s not why I’ve come for you.”

He tensed. If this was about his camming job…

“It’ll take but a few minutes,” she said. “We need a second witness for Martin’s will.”