Dichotomedes
Jeff,
It's been quite a while, hasn't it? I hope the sunshine is treating you well back home. I've seen that you're teaching another writing course next quarter--perhaps you'll feel more confident this time. I have no idea why you would think that you've taught poorly; I'd hardly think you capable of such a thing.
As much as I'd love to spend this letter catching up, my true purposes are far from such pleasantries. I'm worried about Dylan and Shea, to tell the truth. They've both gotten themselves into a bit of a mess, and I've got no idea how to help them out. I was hoping you'd have something to add, since you know at least part of the whole story/stories.
You know how odd it gets when those two aren't working together--I mean, once they've split up, Shea goes all flakey and goes a little nuts partying (mostly to forget, I think), and Dylan draws back into her little shell, writing bad poetry and crying to herself, thinking no one can hear her.
You know Dylan's deal . . . I mean, she's only obsessively liked you for the past year or so--she still does, come to think of it. It may be part of the problem. However, recently she's become interested in others around here. I mean, it's understandable, being a continent away. But she's drawn herself so thin that she's been overanalysing EVERYTHING about her 'relationships', if you can even call them that (does Dylan ever have real relationships? She gets so obsessed with things, she burns herself out most of the time). I've never seen Dylan like two guys at once. And to tell you the truth, it worries me.
But not as much as it worries her.
Now, this shouldn't be such a bad thing. In all honesty, when it started, I was rather proud of her--it's been helping her get over you, for one.
Just out of curiosity, did you ever really like her back in the same way? Or were you just being nice? I know, I know. None of my business. It does make me wonder though.
In any case, it might have been fine--except that she over-thinks everything. Here's the deal: there's Laurence and then there's Dwayne. I've got a pretty clear picture on what's gone on with her and Laurence. It seems like your tried and true dating method with him. He's in her course, they talk, they enjoy each other's company, they go out for coffee. He's incredibly sweet, and though quiet, always has something interesting to say, which works well with Dylan's reclusivity. With Dwayne, I'm a little less sure. The most I've gotten out of her about him is that she refuses to try for anything with him, but she's already messed that one up--even if she was drunk at the time. The only other nugget of info I've gotten from her is a little scrap of her writing (she leaves it everywhere in the room!):
-----------
'What exactly is it about attraction?
What keeps one waiting for that moment, a taste of contact, a touch of spiced excitement? Why is one drawn to one and not another on certain levels, but not others? And how has it managed to escape logical explanations?
There are levels--oh, there are levels. One can sort, analyse, categorise, and still have nothing to show for it. Each is tied on ribbons, strings, and chains in bows, knots, and cuffs, and the heart struggles to breathe in any logic beneath.
Some are lace-delicate. It's the λεπτον πυρ burning beneath the flesh, quiet and unassuming, but ever-spreading. Given time, it can consume, but kept a distance it's tended, watched, admired, and eventually dies with lack of fuel and attention. These are friends, garbed in flirtation, hints, and hope, worn about as a mantle or cloak. Oh, it can be removed at any time, but why not have it jauntily displayed upon the side? Or better yet, why not stretch out a satin-lined wing, and draw the prey into an embrace? Offer the red-lined cape to keep one warm, to jest in fun, or to hide from prying eyes, it's there, and it works, even if it isn't known.
Convention has often befriended logic, but hearts and strings never seemed to have fully blended together . . .'
-------------
I mean, what's up with that? From what I've gathered, she likes Dwayne a lot, but feels she can't do anything about it, since she's friends with him. I've caught her on more than one occasion questioning her relationship with you and with Laurence to him.
The other thing about Dwayne is that Shea most definitely doesn't approve of him. She calls him emo and a musical elitist, not to mention takes potshots at his appearance, claiming him scrawny and sickly, and never ceasing to remind Dylan that he is, in fact, blond, despite appearances.
You know how inseparable they are normally, and how much weight Shea's opinion has on Dylan. However, I don't think it's the main issue. Hers is more a moral dilemma between the two. One she feels horribly attracted to, for a reason she can't even begin to explain, not even to Shea. The other, Laurence, she feels guilty about. He's such a nice guy, she feels like she's betrayed him in some way by even thinking about someone else. Then there's you . . . since she got here she's felt she's somehow betrayed you. I mean, it's not like you really had a relationship to begin with, but I think it's more the idea of you and your friendship she's betrayed or replaced. She fears hurting all of you, I guess.
Of course, when Shea isn't pestering Dylan about stock datable types, she's off making more trouble for herself than she can handle. She's gotten somewhat involved with two guys in her club. One is her instructor (hmm, where have we heard this before?) and the other is an upper-classman there. Not one to turn down a challenge, of course she's gone for both guys in the same club. Tango Maureen anyone?
Nick, her teacher, is a pretty good catch. He's really sweet, energetic, and funny and Dylan most definitely approves of him. They seem to be able to chat about anything, and I've never seen Shea with as wide a smile as she has when she gets home from an evening at the pub with him.
She plays a dangerous game though with Damien. Granted, he's good-looking and not a bad guy. He recently broke up with his girlfriend though, and has reminded Shea of this a few times. When the club went dancing and Nick had work and was unable to show, she spent her time dancing with Damien and took a shine to him. He's someone she can mess around with and feel very few consequences, I guess. He's also good for an ego boost, since he likes complimenting her, though never in a fawning way.
Nick and Damien know each other, at least a little vaguely, but I think they're starting to notice the division in her attention since they've been attending the club at the same times recently. I don't know if Shea is hoping for them to fight over her, but I can't see it ending well if they do, with Shea's approval or not.
For as different as these girls are, they seem to create similar problems for themselves.
In all honesty, I've got no idea how to help them. It would be so simple to say for them to choose one, but they don't seem to know what they want. It's very frustrating, since I can see that they want advice for what to do (even Shea, who would never ask for help, but has admitted it anyway . . . in her own weird way of hers). Dylan seems to feel torn with guilt, and Shea with desire, and I've no idea how to fix it. I hate it when I can't resolve their issues. It makes the space up here crowded with tension.
Any advice on the situation would be helpful.
Sincerely,
A concerned third party
It's been quite a while, hasn't it? I hope the sunshine is treating you well back home. I've seen that you're teaching another writing course next quarter--perhaps you'll feel more confident this time. I have no idea why you would think that you've taught poorly; I'd hardly think you capable of such a thing.
As much as I'd love to spend this letter catching up, my true purposes are far from such pleasantries. I'm worried about Dylan and Shea, to tell the truth. They've both gotten themselves into a bit of a mess, and I've got no idea how to help them out. I was hoping you'd have something to add, since you know at least part of the whole story/stories.
You know how odd it gets when those two aren't working together--I mean, once they've split up, Shea goes all flakey and goes a little nuts partying (mostly to forget, I think), and Dylan draws back into her little shell, writing bad poetry and crying to herself, thinking no one can hear her.
You know Dylan's deal . . . I mean, she's only obsessively liked you for the past year or so--she still does, come to think of it. It may be part of the problem. However, recently she's become interested in others around here. I mean, it's understandable, being a continent away. But she's drawn herself so thin that she's been overanalysing EVERYTHING about her 'relationships', if you can even call them that (does Dylan ever have real relationships? She gets so obsessed with things, she burns herself out most of the time). I've never seen Dylan like two guys at once. And to tell you the truth, it worries me.
But not as much as it worries her.
Now, this shouldn't be such a bad thing. In all honesty, when it started, I was rather proud of her--it's been helping her get over you, for one.
Just out of curiosity, did you ever really like her back in the same way? Or were you just being nice? I know, I know. None of my business. It does make me wonder though.
In any case, it might have been fine--except that she over-thinks everything. Here's the deal: there's Laurence and then there's Dwayne. I've got a pretty clear picture on what's gone on with her and Laurence. It seems like your tried and true dating method with him. He's in her course, they talk, they enjoy each other's company, they go out for coffee. He's incredibly sweet, and though quiet, always has something interesting to say, which works well with Dylan's reclusivity. With Dwayne, I'm a little less sure. The most I've gotten out of her about him is that she refuses to try for anything with him, but she's already messed that one up--even if she was drunk at the time. The only other nugget of info I've gotten from her is a little scrap of her writing (she leaves it everywhere in the room!):
-----------
'What exactly is it about attraction?
What keeps one waiting for that moment, a taste of contact, a touch of spiced excitement? Why is one drawn to one and not another on certain levels, but not others? And how has it managed to escape logical explanations?
There are levels--oh, there are levels. One can sort, analyse, categorise, and still have nothing to show for it. Each is tied on ribbons, strings, and chains in bows, knots, and cuffs, and the heart struggles to breathe in any logic beneath.
Some are lace-delicate. It's the λεπτον πυρ burning beneath the flesh, quiet and unassuming, but ever-spreading. Given time, it can consume, but kept a distance it's tended, watched, admired, and eventually dies with lack of fuel and attention. These are friends, garbed in flirtation, hints, and hope, worn about as a mantle or cloak. Oh, it can be removed at any time, but why not have it jauntily displayed upon the side? Or better yet, why not stretch out a satin-lined wing, and draw the prey into an embrace? Offer the red-lined cape to keep one warm, to jest in fun, or to hide from prying eyes, it's there, and it works, even if it isn't known.
Convention has often befriended logic, but hearts and strings never seemed to have fully blended together . . .'
-------------
I mean, what's up with that? From what I've gathered, she likes Dwayne a lot, but feels she can't do anything about it, since she's friends with him. I've caught her on more than one occasion questioning her relationship with you and with Laurence to him.
The other thing about Dwayne is that Shea most definitely doesn't approve of him. She calls him emo and a musical elitist, not to mention takes potshots at his appearance, claiming him scrawny and sickly, and never ceasing to remind Dylan that he is, in fact, blond, despite appearances.
You know how inseparable they are normally, and how much weight Shea's opinion has on Dylan. However, I don't think it's the main issue. Hers is more a moral dilemma between the two. One she feels horribly attracted to, for a reason she can't even begin to explain, not even to Shea. The other, Laurence, she feels guilty about. He's such a nice guy, she feels like she's betrayed him in some way by even thinking about someone else. Then there's you . . . since she got here she's felt she's somehow betrayed you. I mean, it's not like you really had a relationship to begin with, but I think it's more the idea of you and your friendship she's betrayed or replaced. She fears hurting all of you, I guess.
Of course, when Shea isn't pestering Dylan about stock datable types, she's off making more trouble for herself than she can handle. She's gotten somewhat involved with two guys in her club. One is her instructor (hmm, where have we heard this before?) and the other is an upper-classman there. Not one to turn down a challenge, of course she's gone for both guys in the same club. Tango Maureen anyone?
Nick, her teacher, is a pretty good catch. He's really sweet, energetic, and funny and Dylan most definitely approves of him. They seem to be able to chat about anything, and I've never seen Shea with as wide a smile as she has when she gets home from an evening at the pub with him.
She plays a dangerous game though with Damien. Granted, he's good-looking and not a bad guy. He recently broke up with his girlfriend though, and has reminded Shea of this a few times. When the club went dancing and Nick had work and was unable to show, she spent her time dancing with Damien and took a shine to him. He's someone she can mess around with and feel very few consequences, I guess. He's also good for an ego boost, since he likes complimenting her, though never in a fawning way.
Nick and Damien know each other, at least a little vaguely, but I think they're starting to notice the division in her attention since they've been attending the club at the same times recently. I don't know if Shea is hoping for them to fight over her, but I can't see it ending well if they do, with Shea's approval or not.
For as different as these girls are, they seem to create similar problems for themselves.
In all honesty, I've got no idea how to help them. It would be so simple to say for them to choose one, but they don't seem to know what they want. It's very frustrating, since I can see that they want advice for what to do (even Shea, who would never ask for help, but has admitted it anyway . . . in her own weird way of hers). Dylan seems to feel torn with guilt, and Shea with desire, and I've no idea how to fix it. I hate it when I can't resolve their issues. It makes the space up here crowded with tension.
Any advice on the situation would be helpful.
Sincerely,
A concerned third party