Page 52 of Yours, For Good

From: Eleanora

Subject: let's rewind.

Dear Mr. B.,

It's been a couple of weeks since my last letter, and I have to admit I thought that one would be the one to make you break. I thought I would finally hear from you! But you didn't, and it hurts.

I choose to believe you have reasons for it. If I believe that, it hurts a little less. The thing is, I will likely still share my private thoughts with you sometimes. There are things that I can't possibly understand until I share them with someone, and they build and build until I do. For a while longer, that's going to be you. I hope

you don't mind too much, even if you will not write back to assure me these words are welcome, or safe with you.

In any case, now we're in the middle of January. I can't believe the main part of the incubator program is almost done. I'm neck-deep in finalizing my proposal, tweaking my presentation, and practicing my elevator pitch and bid. I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to be nervous! I don't want to think about what happens if I don't get investors. I suppose I could use some of the money I've saved the past few months (if you're okay with it??) to live off of while I seek investors elsewhere…? Ugh. I can't think about it right now. Which means I'll think about it in the middle of the night when stress doesn't let me sleep.

On a different note, I've been to Sally's a lot and, wouldn't you know? Julia has started joining us. I think she cracked because I'm a puzzle to her and she started finding humor in the random things I say. The three of us give constructive feedback to each other and even cheer each other on. It's been nice!

I have also attached a copy of the interim feedback I received from the mentors. You'll see how encouraging they are, and how many lovely things they have to say about my business skills. I know for a fact that they don't just say things like this to people; Sally asked me for help incorporating her feedback into her bid, and let it slip that Julia's form had called her out on missing a thing or two. They say comparison is the thief of joy but, as of now, it has given me confidence.

I hope that by the end of this, you're proud of me.

Nora

PS: I'm thinking of getting a tattoo to mark this time in my life. Assuming you're of the generation that finds tattoos offensive, please wonder why I'm letting you know at all…

It's because I will never tell you what I got.

If you think this is the kind of petty revenge I engage in, I can neither confirm or deny, but I'll give you a few hints: you're welcome to imagine a tattoo covering half my face. It will go beautifully with the tattoo I have planned that says NO REGERTS beneath my clavicles, and the sentence that says my mom is my angle stretched over the length of my arm. I also plan to get a poorly rendered portrait of my favorite singer all across my back, and the most random objects that will have people scratching their head when they see them right across my forehead.

Enjoy!

Date: January 27

To: Mr. Smith

From: Eleanora

Subject: IT'S HAPPENING

Dear Mr. B.,

I cannot believe I get to say this—

Presentation Status: Completed.

AAAAAAAHHH.

I did it, Mr. B.! I felt like a rockstar, not going to lie. I sounded confident, and like I could run an international educational organization the likes no colonial empire has ever seen before. Beyond the dreams of anyone in the larger industrial complex. I answered all questions to everyone's satisfaction, and after seeing the video made of it— to be sent to potential investors all over the Global North— I think I looked good doing it.

I attached a link to the video. What do you think of that celebrity aura your pupil gives off?

And now, we wait.

If I get angel investors for my business, I'll receive their inquiries by mid- to late February. So, by the time the graduation dinner occurs, I may know exactly how many millions of reasons I have to celebrate.

Because even if I don't get investors, Mr. B., I still get to celebrate that I was a part of this at all.

Nora

PS: I reviewed our agreement. Rest assured that I'll follow the rules and I will leave your condo within two weeks from the end of my involvement with the incubator, whenever that is. I promise you won't have a squatter on your hands.