Jan. 13, 2019

It's Not That Bad

From The Novelist Portent by Johnny E. Mahaffey (author's profile)

Transcription

IT'S NOT THAT BAD

I was a little worried about this year - but, you know what? - I'm not so much anymore. It's going to be a good year.

I've sent in some papers to help Jamie with her criminal charges, because I still don't feel that she's culpable in the things that happened, and I'm worried that the court is just going to see her as a case number and nothing more.

Just like they did with me - and most defendants.

The peculiar thing is, that she doesn't "trust me"; yet all I've done is help her, and that's both sad and hurtful. I asked her about it, and she finally told me that it's not anything I've done (or said): she's just basing off all of her life so far, and how others turned out in the end not to be trustworthy, and were not what they'd led her to believe. Here I am, a decade-and-a-half nearly after cops took me away from her, and all I think about is: what's going to happen to her, and is she going to be okay. She doesn't understand WHY I would care; but, I don't understand how anyone could think that I wouldn't.

People love and go on with their life; I don't quite understand that. I mean, you have to in a lot of cases, but, you still feel what you felt. How can you not? It seems to me, that if right now, if I DID NOT care, it would mean that I never loved her to start with. It's kind of how I felt - and feel - about her not caring when I went to prison or if I ever get out, or the fact that she went 12 years without wanting to hear from me - to me, that makes me think she never loved me from day one. All I have for comparison is love is what I experience: and I know, that I could never, not care.

Look at Candice for example: 20 years almost now, and she still cares. She wants me alive, and not to suffer, or be forgotten - and that in itself stands in testament to what she and I shared all those years ago.

And the same can be said of Opal even though she spitefully slanders me here on this blog - the fact that she keeps tabs on it shows that she in fact cares if I'm alive.

Jamie's done the same, reading the posts over the years. Even commenting under a pseudonym - caring from the fringes, not wanting anyone to know, or just not wanting to take that extra step and all that it may entail.

All my exes have done it at some point.

Some more than others.

And of course, I've obviously thought of them.

Worry about them even: that they're okay, alive and well. Happy even. I don't hold any grudges, and take blame for all that has happened: nine times out of ten, anything that happened was my fault anyways. But, I don't think everyone's heart is full of just hate, or indifference.

So, I guess, in the end - I've never really been quite as alone as I thought - and this year, I'll be taking that to heart as I post, and as I complete my various projects. Though, I would appreciate some more feedback on my writing (especially stories and poems that I post), and my art. I mean, seriously? Do I have talent, or am I wasting my time?

Favorite

Replies (4) Replies feed

danielle Posted 5 years, 3 months ago. ✓ Mailed 5 years, 2 months ago   Favorite
I have been reading these blogs for a few weeks now and I seem to keep coming back to your writing. In all seriousness, you are a great writer! I'm not sure why you are unsure of that, because it is so clear to me that you have talent. You seem to be very reflective and insightful... and thoughtful of your word choices. I feel the pain and hurt and longing in your writing. Not everyone is good at conveying how they really feel with words on a page left to someone else's interpretation. Don't give up. You never know where life could take you!

Johnny E. Mahaffey Posted 5 years, 1 month ago.   Favorite
(scanned reply – view as blog post)

Eri Posted 5 years, 1 month ago. ✓ Mailed 5 years, 1 month ago   Favorite
There is always a good place. Johnny

Johnny E. Mahaffey Posted 4 years, 10 months ago.   Favorite
(scanned reply – view as blog post)

We will print and mail your reply by . Guidelines

Other posts by this author

Subscribe

Get notifications when new letters or replies are posted!

Posts by Johnny E. Mahaffey: RSS email me
Comments on “It's Not That Bad”: RSS email me
Featured posts: RSS email me
All Between the Bars posts: RSS