I’m Sorry I Forgot Your Name

Dear Aaron,

I owe you a major apology.

You have been the lead character of my running Sunday short stories series for months now.

Your weekly conversations with Holly are a big favorite on the blog, and my followers adore you.  Yes, you have fans!

Not only do the stories allow me to put your witty banter skills on display, but they also give me an opportunity to normalize feeling a little nervous and uptight about dealing with everyday life during a pandemic.

I think so many people can relate to what you’re going through as you try to navigate life, while also being afraid of being infected by the Coronavirus.

That being said, it was a major faux pas on my part to publish this week’s installment, You Remind Me Of A Sea Captain, with Sebastian as the main character.

That means I typed the wrong name dozens of times, and then proofread the story without catching on that I’d left you out of your popular serial.

In my defense, Sebastian is the main character in my novel, and I’ve dedicated a great deal of my writing time to that project lately.  So he has been on my mind.  Not that you haven’t been, but you can understand how I’d make the mistake, right?

No, this does not mean Sebastian is my favorite, or that I like him more than you.  It was just a case of an overly tired writer trying to get so many stories out of his head in so little time.

I love all my characters equally.  There is a little bit of me in all of you.  Even more so when it comes to my male leads.  Let’s face it, you’re all just a thinly veiled version of me.  The main difference being that you’re more confident, more successful, and better at relationships.

I don’t know if this makes up for my blunder, but I have come up with a way to add you and Holly to my novel.  This means you’ll have a chance to spend time with Sebastian, and perhaps understand how I could get the two of you confused.

I promise not to make this mistake again.

I’m incredibly embarrassed, and afraid to show my face.

I went for a run this morning, and passed the very spot where I imagine your weekly stories take place.  A part of me hoped I’d find you sitting on your bench, sipping your Snapple, and admiring the river.  That way, I would have been able to apologize face to face, rather than via a blog post.

I know you are just a figment of my imagination, but that doesn’t mean I’m not bothered by my incredible error.

See you Sunday!

Austin