I know you might not want to get a letter from me, seeing as I put you in danger just to get a file and some dumb letters I wrote that I have no intention of ever sending. But I think I might send this one. So, if you are reading this, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for putting you in danger and I’m sorry for not saying any of this in person.

I sent you a text just now. Though you wouldn’t know it, I spent a lot of time crafting that text, wrote whole paragraphs out, deleted them, wrote more, deleted, and so on. I don’t think I’m really suited for that style of communication, even though it was a lot easier with you. Though I guess there’s an argument to be made (and some definitely would) that I’m not suited for any kind of communication.

I saw that you and Emily are working things out. Confession time: I read your girlfriend’s blog. Oh yeah, your girlfriend has a blog—did you know that? I think I’m probably more tech savvy than you, which isn’t saying much, because you have to be the least tech literate Gen Z-er I’ve ever met, but it surprises most people that I know what I’m doing. I guess my wardrobe is pretty “Mr. Robot” as you called it, but for some reason, people never assume that I spend much time on computers. But I’m actually pretty well-versed in the more hidden corners of the internet.

Just ask your brother who theneonthorn is. That’s my last little surprise for you. The last bit of truth that no one knows.

I’m really happy for you. Genuinely. That’s a new feeling for me, but I think it’s one I could get used to.

I thought I knew your story, Rose. I thought I knew mine. But we only ever know pieces of people’s stories and it can take years—a whole lifetime—to get the full thing.

I don’t have a whole lifetime. You do. Don’t dream it away.

But I think I might have a second act in me yet.

Love,

Robert Damien

Your Tin Man

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It’s hard to know where to begin. My journey with the Atypical world started seven years ago with the tiniest seed of an idea born out of needing to put my own loneliness into words. I never could have expected that idea to bloom into three podcasts, three books, and, most important, an enormous, loving community of collaborators, listeners, and readers. I have so many people to thank for loving this world, for lifting it and me up, for making me less lonely. I’m going to do my best to thank as many of those people as I can here.