An Open Letter to Jay Gatsby or Why I Am A Terrible
Friend
Hey man. I feel you. Because I have my very own green light.
I don’t know if you saw Gatz
(if you didn’t, that’s a shame because it was really good), but they used a
green LED – a little pin-point thing – in one cue that made me really happy
because I saw it and my parents didn’t to show the green light at the end of
the dock that you stared at.
I’d look up exactly what Nick Caraway had to say about the whole
thing, but it’s been a year since I read the book and I can’t be bothered.
Anyway. I feel
you. The notification light on my phone
is green. And, occasionally, it’s a text
message from a dear friend who means the world to me and on whom I may or may
not have the tiniest bit of a crush but like I can’t say a damn thing because I
saw what happened to you and I know better than to let myself be tempted by a
little green light.
Like, come on man! If
your story isn’t a warning against temptation by green, I don’t know what
is.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I get it. I mean I look out of the corner of my eye and
see a flashing light and get my hopes up and sometimes there’s not even anything
there. And I can’t start anything
because what if I’m being a nuisance?
The last thing I want to do is drive this person off. Because our friendship means a lot to
me. And so does the promise of the green
light bringing some news. Something
silly or serious or anything. But
something. From them. Maybe if I quit cold turkey, but I can’t do
that.
You know how it is.
You amassed a small personal fortune and threw ridiculous parties to get
Daisy. I can’t even do that. Think how I must feel!
Anyway. Thanks for
listening.
Sincerely,
Lauren Eames
Lauren Eames
