That Summer Feeling

by Bridget Morrissey

As a rule, I did not trust blond men. No real reason other than pure skepticism.

No one could ever judge me too harshly if I judged myself harder and louder than they’d ever dare.

Ethan held up another copy of the book I was holding. He said, “I saw you with this, and I figured I should read it too. We can talk about it on our first date.”

“I’m still afraid of what lurks behind shower curtains,” I admitted. “I check in everyone’s bathrooms.”

I don’t actually trust blond men.”

No matter how old I got, I could always find new ways to be young again.

I never felt like I knew anything about myself for certain.

“The older you get, the more you realize there’s a damn good reason to be afraid of just about every single thing in life. So you might as well do it all, because the fear sure doesn’t care either way.”

Call down the fake birds and take that information straight to the government.

I’m so afraid to be right or wrong with all my choices that I don’t end up making

The best gift you can give yourself is permission to keep figuring shit out, no matter how messy it is. You can be a different you tomorrow. You can also own the person you are today. You don’t have to hide away because you might one day change.”

All the stuff you feel out loud, I feel in quiet. That’s why I don’t like change. Change makes me feel like I don’t have a grasp on the situation.