StringTheory27:Then you try.Then you mess up and learn and try again.That’s love.That’s all any of us are doing.
DeadStrings:It’s not about the dog, is it?
StringTheory27:Of course it is.And of course it isn’t.
DeadStrings:I don’t want to want something this much.
StringTheory27:But you do.That’s the thing.You do.So go get him.Or don’t.But don’t tell yourself it wasn’t meant to be just to avoid getting hurt again.
DeadStrings:You’re relentless.
StringTheory27:No.I just recognize the look of someone who lost something once and doesn’t think they’re allowed to want it back.
DeadStrings:Fine.I’ll go tomorrow.
StringTheory27:Good.And bring a name tag.One that says Otis.
DeadStrings:We’re still fighting about that.
StringTheory27:We always fight.It’s what we do.But you’re still showing up.And that counts for something.See, we fight, disagree, and sometimes ...no matter what, we come back to each other.We have a very committed online relationship.You just are afraid to realize that you made a friend because then there’s the fear of losing her.
DeadStrings:You’re not wrong.Again.Which is annoying.
StringTheory27:You’ll get used to it.The whole “me being right” thing comes standard with the package.
DeadStrings:You’re not subtle, you know that?Calling me out for having feelings.
StringTheory27:Better I say it than you have to journal it.Don’t worry—I won’t make us friendship bracelets.Yet.
DeadStrings:God forbid.You’d pick glitter.
StringTheory27:Obviously.With matching beads.But back to the important stuff—when you go tomorrow, and you see Otis ...
DeadStrings:If I see him.
StringTheory27:When.You don’t get to weasel out with your fate-and-timing philosophies.If he’s there, you take him home.If he’s not, you ask about him.
DeadStrings:And if someone else already got him?
StringTheory27:Then you curse the universe, buy a bag of chips, and take it personally.Then you try again.Because healing means trying again.Not just once.Not just for love.For everything.
DeadStrings:You’d make a great motivational speaker—or cult leader.
StringTheory27:Thank you.It’s all the books I keep buying.Plus, I practice in the mirror.But seriously—you can do this.Even if you’ve never done anything like this before.Even if it scares you.Especially if it scares you.Do it.
DeadStrings:I didn’t mean to care this much.About a dog.About this weird digital thread.About anything.
StringTheory27:But you do.That’s the most human thing you’ve ever said.And that’s exactly why Otis needs you.He already chose you—you’re just slow.
DeadStrings:I’ll go.Tomorrow.And if he’s still there ...I’ll try.I won’t just show up.I’ll commit.To a leash.To walks.To feeding schedules.To peeing in the right places.
StringTheory27:You or the dog?
DeadStrings:Both.One of us is still working on the house training.
StringTheory27:I’ll make him a welcome-to-the-life mixtape.And you get to send the update after.You owe me that much.
ChapterSeventy-Seven
