Page 133 of No Line Change

Dylan

Rough

I don’t normally expect to get so banged up during a regular season game in January

I caught the replays

Was that boys being boys or Sokolov being Sokolov?

I think he thought it was the former but it felt like the latter

Met Yelena his fiancee

She’s very Russian

Elegant, pretty, clearly loves him

Tolerates me

Looked at me like I was a particularly interesting bug

Yknow, the type of thing you have the power to squish at any time

That’s…vivid

You’re doing okay?

Yes

I think I missed him for a while even though I knew it was over

Like if he came back to Albuquerque I’d be happy to have my best friend back, I knew the rest of it was done

But last week kind of proved he’s not ever going to be that person for me again

And that’s fine

I still miss it but in the way I miss that apartment mom and dad had in Seattle when I was a kid

It’s nicer as a memory, I don’t want to go back

Y’know?

Yes I understand

I'm glad you’re okay

How are you feeling about all star weekend? I saw they just released you’re going

All star weekend lost its shine a few years ago

It’s fun or whatever, but I’d rather play real games

The team’s pushing for Novak to get the fan vote

Which would be fantastic, I hated going by myself last year

I’ll make sure to vote for him