do comic strips even count as art?
Of course they do. Don’t be so prejudiced. Art encompasses more than old oil paintings and stupid abstracts. Open your mind!! Be creative!!
you sound like ms. kinsey.
Ms. Kinsey would never call abstracts stupid. Besides I choose to take that as a compliment.
you would. so—charles schulz? really?
Broken record much? Come on, it would be fun!!!! Different!!!! EXCITING!!!!!
your abuse of exclamation marks and capslock is not really selling me on this.
I need to express my enthusiasm somehow.
try using your words.
I am. Just not with my voice.
is it hard? not talking?
Yes. No. Sometimes. Not really. Except for the early onset of carpal tunnel. Like now. Owwwww. L Going 2 use shrthnd frm nw on k?
k. so y no talking? isn’t writing the same thing?
No. I have to think about what I write b4 I put it on paper. I don’t want 2 say the wrong thing. No 1 wants to hear it n e way. Me + talking = BAD NEWS.
Sam pauses for a long time, twirling the pen around in his hand.
saw noah last night. he’s going to be o.k.
I look at him and then back down at the page. Part of me is glad he’s sharing this information with me, but part of me wants to know why. Is he trying to make me feel better, and if so, why the hell would he do that? He has every reason in the world to hate me. The pen hovers over the pad as I try to figure out what to say next.
Charles Schulz. We’re totally doing it. OK?
o.k. you win.
* * *
The most awkward part of my day comes after my second-to-last class. And that’s really saying something, since there is so much awkwardness spread out throughout the day—from avoiding Kristen and all the jocks in the hall, to finding a safe haven at lunch, to dealing with the ritual embarrassment of Mrs. Finch doling out my daily detention slip. Yup, lucky me received another one today, all shiny and pink. I’m convinced she gets a twisted satisfaction out of dispensing these punishments. My best defense is to act like I don’t give two shits.