Gia C. Manalio www.lifeissurreal.com to mike… I’ve been thinking about you. You have? Yeah, I do a lot.  Not always, but sometimes. So why now? Well, I just got in touch with Jon.  Can you believe it?  After 12 years, I’m chatting with Jon.  Well, e-mailing at least.  Well, he hasn’t written since his first note, but I’m sure he’ll turn up.  It’s been 12 years. I know it.  He’s done well for himself, no?  I’ve been watching him. Yeah, apparently so.  But I always knew he would.  But I thought he was going to be a doctor. Nah – he just couldn’t give up the music biz. Yeah.  And still around Pat too.  I thought for sure Pat was with you. You know, when I have had to take care of my pets, I always tell them that you’ll take care of them.  I imagine you being chased around by my dog Astra. Is that the shepherd who keeps running after me and biting my butt? Is she?  I knew she’d make me proud! You know, Mike, I must have been there.  I must have been at NYU studying or something and didn’t even know. No, why would you? I mean, it was a day like any other for me. And it started out as such for me. You know, I only remember some things about you. Yeah – what? Um – you screwed me out of my Jr. prom.  Your hair.  Some sweater.  Not the color or anything, more the texture.  Your house.  The day you carried me to my car cause I was too drunk to walk myself.  Oh my god.  I drove home that night. I work with a girl now who went to school with you.  She said you were nice. I was nice. Yeah, but you were a jackass too.  I was so mad at you.  I think I even said that I wished you were dead… Those were just words. Mike, I tried to hurt you the second time around. I know. I wished bad things for you. Not really, you were just hurt. I have never wished bad things for anyone since. I know, I’ve kept an eye on you. Have you?  Have you heard me talking to you? Yeah, especially in your car.  Why do you always talk to me in your car?  I don’t think I ever even drove with you.  By the way, let’s talk about your singing… I don’t know.  I think a lot in my car.  I should probably pay more attention to the road. Yes – that wouldn’t be a bad idea. Sometimes when I’m scared, I talk to you. I know. I feel closer to you than I think we really were. I’m glad you think of me. Know what I remember? Tell me. My graduation night.  Todd’s apartment.  You came in just as “It’s the end of the world as we know it” came on.  You bounced all over the room, singing every single word.  Then you left. I remember that.  I love that song. I can’t hear it without thinking of you. It’s a good song to be associated with.  That Michael Stipe is a-okay.  Must be the name. Oh, Mike, I’m so so sorry. About what?  You have nothing to be sorry for. About everything.  What I did.  What I thought…what happened. Don’t be sorry, G-, it’s all good.  But I have to go now. Okay.  So this time I’m going to say goodbye, Mike. No-this time it’s not goodbye.  Just keep thinking of me and talking to me.  I’ll be watching over.