Page 55 of Dear Mr. Knightley

Dear Mr. Knightley,

Just a quick note . . . I’ve got two articles due to McDermott this morning, and then I’m heading across town to conduct an interview. I’m floored that McDermott’s trusting me. I’m interviewing an aide to Judge Rayburn about upcoming child welfare legislation.

I took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Take full notes, write it up. If you want my help, I’m here. But I suspect you’ll get there on your own.”

So last night I prepared my notes, and I’m ready. But—also last night—I had a conversation with Alex that won’t leave me. It was brief, but special. And it was the first time he’s called me.

He called around eleven. “You still up?”

“I’m outlining interview questions. What’s up?”

“I’m having trouble with Cole and want to bounce something off you. You mind?”

“Not at all.” I was so casual, but I can be honest with you—I have never been so flattered in my life.

“I need to push him, Sam. I need to bring Cole to the point of breaking, but I don’t have somewhere safe for him once I do that. Does that make sense?”

“He’ll need to heal.” I thought about it for a moment. “What do you do? Where do you go?”

“I write.” Alex paused. “Obviously, that won’t work for Cole. You?”

“I run.”

“I should’ve figured that out. How does that work? I run, but not like that.”

“I run until I find myself. Sometimes it takes just a few miles and I know. Other times it takes ten to fifteen, even more, but I know when it happens. It’s peaceful, and I feel whole and strong and nothing can touch or hurt the real me.

” I stopped, suddenly remembering it was Alex, not Kyle, to whom I was speaking. I felt confused.

“Can I use that, Sam? I see that working for Cole, but I don’t want to take it from you.”

“Please do. I’m honored.”

“I like that. Sam?”

“What?”

“I write and run.” He paused, and his voice dropped to a whisper. “You run and write.”

I almost spoke, but he got there first. “Back to Cole now. Thanks. I can’t tell you what this means to me.” He hung up.

And I need to go,

Sam