Page 68 of Chaos

---

Merri-Go-Round:

That’s great. I’m really proud of you.

Dots bounced on the screen and then stopped. It went on long enough I could tell he’d typed something and deleted it.

Merri-Go-Round:

Since when are you shy with me? What were you going to say?

ShyGuy25:

It’s nothing. Honestly. I just couldn’t remember the last time someone told me they were proud of me.

Merri-Go-Round:

Well, that’s a shame. You work hard. You’re kind and gentle. You’re a good man, I can tell. You deserve someone in your life who tells you how proud they are.

ShyGuy25:

Maybe it’s you.

Merri-Go-Round:

Me?

ShyGuy25:

Maybe you bring it out in me. The goodness and kindness.

Merri-Go-Round:

I don’t believe that. You’ve been the same sweet guy since I met you. So the math doesn’t math.

ShyGuy25:

Math is gross.

Merri-Go-Round:

Facts. It’s clearly an instrument of the devil.

ShyGuy25:

Hey, don’t put that on him. He gets blamed for all the bad things.

Merri-Go-Round:

. . . he’s the devil . . . King of Bad Things.

ShyGuy25:

hear me out

Merri-Go-Round:

Fine, I’m listening.

ShyGuy25:

---