nothing after this is true – real-time hyperfiction is #dtf

It might be painful and dangerous to be in a relationship with a writer. If things go swimmingly, you can admire and loosely promote his scree on Facebook and other social channels. But you didn’t really read it. You’d see that he is describing not only himself, an early-stage old person, white, male, trying to scream into the void about something no one cares about, white boomer ennui. It’s not a pretty subject. About the set dramatic trope: the two characters are in a messy apartment in Manhattan. Or, an artist’s flat on Bowery and Houston in the late 80s. New York City, baby. The aim is still true inside this writer’s heart.

But, back to the point: a writer is going to describe you. If you are nice, if things work out, there is little to fear, maybe a little sarcasm or ridicule of ridiculous topics that you disagree on. Who should be allowed to eat and have health insurance in this country? For example, if you’re against, I’m against you. So, now that we’re clear on politics…

If we’re lovers, the entire equation is dumped on its ear. I am listening. I am always listening. I am imagining. Again, I am always imagining. I am writing. Writing about whatever is flowing through my veins, and if we’re suddenly lovers, it’s going to be you, your spirit as it interleaves with mine. If it’s a short relationship, our spark may not reach full brightness, but it’s enough. A firestarter. An indication of things to come.

Younger, faster, hotter, more available, more self-assured. What’s the low range of the age gap? These days, we can’t look at celebrity or culture to guide us. We’ve got to feel into what’s good for both of us. She wants someone a bit older, fewer games, more established as a kind human. He wants someone who’s athletic and fit, often indicating a younger partner, but not that’s not a preference. It’s who shows up. Shows interest. Continues to make time for connecting.

I am sending up ghost smoke signals. She’s not reading or responding. Yet. She will be amazed when she sees the way I wove the narrative in with my fantasy. Or will she be horrified? Either way, we’ll know more than we know now. What we know: a crush is a crush. That’s not a problem. A crush becomes a problem if it’s not shared. There’s no way to know of the mutual energy, unless you show up in the same physical space and feel it out. That’s the plan.

But don’t wait for me. Prove it to yourself. Go find someone. Talk to someone. Ask someone to have coffee. Why am I being demure about this actress? Youth? No. Fear of scaring her off? Maybe. Fear of losing a muse, who is now perfection in my mind? Yes. That’s the thing. In future-time, as I imagine it, everything works out for us. We’re traveling in Barcelona when she discovers she’s pregnant. Oh, I got my tubes untied at her suggestion. So, there’s that.

I can’t tell you any more of the plans or places we intend to visit before our daughter is born. Anna.*

#tom cruise, she dated him? i’m within her age range

return to the index | nothing after this is true

© 2026 john oakley mcelhenney, all rights reserved