Small Talk for Dummies
November 2019
Me: Hey, how’s it going?!?
Abi: Hey Shawn! Not too good right now :(
Me: Why, what’s wrong?
Abi: I admitted myself into a psychiatric ward where they take my phone every night.
They’re coming soon.
I don’t want to be here anymore.
Me: Do you wanna talk about it?
I’m here for you.
Abi: My foster parents screamed at me to leave and never come back because I was sad and ungrateful.
I am so ungrateful.
And they’re all I have now.
The scars on my arms are too deep to fade.
I can’t do this anymore.
Me: Abi, promise me you’ll never choose a permanent solution to a temporary problem. You are stronger than your situation. You are the best singer I’ve ever met. The world needs you. I need you to be okay. You’re one of my best friends.
Abi: I’ll try to remember that, Shawn <3 How are you doing?
Me: School’s pretty stressful.
And there are other things.
Abi: Sorry, I have to go. Goodnight :) Thank you!
Me: Goodnight <3
March 2020
Me: Hey, how’s it going?
Me: Are you still in the psych ward?
September 2020
Abi: Sorry, Shawn, I just saw this. I’m okay. How about you?
Me: Good to hear you’re okay. I’m good. What’ve you been up to?
Thinking about what to do after graduation. You?
Me: Same. Crazy how long it’s been since I’ve seen you. We should meet when this is all over.
Me: Remember the cafeteria?
October 2020
Abi: Happy birthday, Shawn!
Me: THANK YOU SO MUCH! HOW’VE YOU BEEN?!?
December 2020
Me: Happy birthday, Abi! How’ve you been?
Abi: Thanks.
June 2021
Abi: Hey, Shawn. Best of luck to you with whatever you’re doing. You have so many things to look forward to.
Me: You too, Abi.
My name’s Gail now.
Me: Okay, Gail. It’s a nice name. What made you change it?
Gail: Yeah, thanks.
September 2021
Shawn: Hey, Gail, what’s up?
Gail: Not much, you?
Shawn: I’m worried about school. Too much stress.
December 2021
Shawn: Happy birthday!
July 2022
Shawn: Hey.
Her: Hey, it just seems that all we have is small talk, which I’m not interested in. It’s not just you, but I don’t want contact with anyone from high school.
Shawn: Ok.
October 2022
New Friend Request: Gail
Request deleted.