[Yu reads the message, and then rereads. Again, again, again, committing things to memory, letting the words work their way into his mind, turning them over and under and inside out. This is how he works, generally; he thinks long and hard before committing to saying something aloud -- or by text, in this case. Maybe that's why his original outburst in text had felt so wrong. It was too impulsive.
Mikey is the exact opposite. There's merit in that, too, though.
In a way, he appreciates it.]
Can't believe you called my books "nerd shit"
[An icebreaker; a small attempt at levity while he tries to process all of this enough to formulate a response. It's a lot. Mikey himself is a lot. Yu doesn't mind at all.]
Parents can really mess you up, huh? Even when they're trying their best.
[This message is a personal attack on me, by me. Anyway, he types a few things, deletes, rephrases. TYPING... registers on and off a few times while he mulls over his response.]
It probably doesn't feel this way, but being able to say all of this...it's the strongest I've ever seen you. I think you know how I feel about that. About strength.
[My friends are my strength. He's candid about that sentiment, always.]
And [TYPING...] It does matter. Of course I'm going to read it.
[He should leave it at that. Send the message and turn off the tablet. Instead, he continues.]
I don't have any answers. It's complicated. But... I'm glad you told me this.
no subject
Mikey is the exact opposite. There's merit in that, too, though.
In a way, he appreciates it.]
Can't believe you called my books "nerd shit"
[An icebreaker; a small attempt at levity while he tries to process all of this enough to formulate a response. It's a lot. Mikey himself is a lot. Yu doesn't mind at all.]
Parents can really mess you up, huh?
Even when they're trying their best.
[This message is a personal attack on me, by me. Anyway, he types a few things, deletes, rephrases. TYPING... registers on and off a few times while he mulls over his response.]
It probably doesn't feel this way, but being able to say all of this...it's the strongest I've ever seen you.
I think you know how I feel about that. About strength.
[My friends are my strength. He's candid about that sentiment, always.]
And
[TYPING...]
It does matter. Of course I'm going to read it.
[He should leave it at that. Send the message and turn off the tablet. Instead, he continues.]
I don't have any answers. It's complicated.
But... I'm glad you told me this.