Patricia Wants to Cuddle

by Samantha Allen

Desire can be such a heady substitute for self-confidence. But she’s trying to stop searching for herself in the eyes of others—

It seems like the sort of place where you could actually just live life, instead of researching the best way to live your life on the internet before falling asleep in an apartment full of empty Chinese food containers.

could I ask you to do something silly for me? Could you hide my next letter under your shirt so that my words can be close to your heart the whole way home?

I think you will still be this pretty when you’re old, Maggie. Maybe even prettier. I’d like to be with you when you are.

I cherish the thought that everywhere I go for the first time will be by your side.