Dreaming of His Pen Pal's Kiss - Jessie Gussman Page 0,9

than write letters and be a nurse?

Thanks.

Computer Geek

DEAR COMPUTER GEEK,

Wow! You already know I don’t know anything about computers, but I am so impressed with what you’ve done. I cannot believe you made this app yourself.

I can see how it’s handy and informative. I can also see how people could use it just for enjoyment. I mean, you could actually build like the ideal hospital, right? You know, picking the best doctors and nurses from each hospital in the country once the app has been filled in.

One suggestion, I know you said this is just a skeleton, but I do hope you have room for comments. Because, say for example you rate a nurse a three, and you do that because you don’t like her suggestive bedside manner.

That same nurse might get a five from me, because I wouldn’t have that problem. So, to explain why you put the rating down you did would be very helpful.

I’m really excited about this! I think you’ve got something really cool on your hands.

Obviously, when I’m not in the ER, and even when I am—I’m in it now, but it’s a quiet night—I enjoy writing. Not stories, because they’re too long. I don’t have the patience to build a world, but I just like writing my thoughts down. I suppose some people talk, and that’s fine, but I never did, not much. As the youngest of six siblings, I had to be pretty loud if I wanted to be heard.

So I just sat in a corner and wrote.

I live in the Ozarks. We have all kinds of rivers and streams, waterfalls, and just beautiful glens with rippling brooks, and I’m fascinated with water. I suppose, if I weren’t a nurse, I would be a whitewater rafting guide.

You?

Sincerely,

The Healing Pen

DEAR HEALING PEN,

I had been going in a totally different direction with the app. Much more serious. But I like the way you think. Actually, I think there could be a game associated with it, completely separate from the app but connected, if that makes sense. I know it wouldn’t be for everyone, but for people who are stuck in hospitals, it could have appeal for them.

Not to mention someone in a hospital in Phoenix could connect with someone in a hospital in Maine. I think it’s nice when you find people whom you have things in common with. Isn’t that what we look for in people? Similarities.

I guess, don’t tell anyone, but this is where I probably owe you an apology.

When you first wrote to me, all I saw were our differences.

I wasn’t very nice. I guess I could say I was in pain, still am actually. It’s a pretty painful thing to break your femur. But I don’t think I can blame my unkindness on it.

Or maybe I should say I don’t want to.

I don’t want to be the kind of person who can’t be friends with someone who is different than they are.

I know you didn’t say anything, and I could be wrong, but I don’t think you probably would ever say anything.

But I was rude.

And I’m sorry.

You came up with a really great idea, and you shared it. I assume you were looking for something that you and I could talk about that I wouldn’t be mean to you about.

Anyway, just this experience with the app showed me maybe that you’re a better person than I am but also that I want to be a better person.

Thanks for that.

Thanks for doing it without hitting me over the head with a sermon or a bunch of Bible verses. You wouldn’t have gotten very far if you did that.

Okay, I just needed to get that off my chest. I felt it was right to tell you. You’ve done a lot for me, with just the idea of the app, and then your feedback. Maybe it’ll never go anywhere. Regardless, if it does, I have you to thank.

I’m going to spend some time working on it and adding to it, and I’ll email you another link.

I had thought, when you sent me your email address, that we would write that way. It would be easier. But sometimes I think easier isn’t always better. Actually, I kind of like going to my mailbox now and wondering if there will be a letter from you in there.

Not sure why this person in my life wanted me to start writing to you, but it’s funny how little things can give us something to look forward to and