Inspiration and Apology

On …Lisa Frazier<redbird999@blab.us> wrote:

Whoa! You’re the last person I expected to hear from after all these years. What a surprise in my mailbox yesterday. So many conflicting emotions and things to say…

First off, how in the world did you find me?

Second, I’m totally impressed and flattered that you wrote a novel, and I might have been something of an inspiration! I started reading it last night and I am enjoying it a lot.

Third, what have you been doing with your life these past three decades? (Besides writing a book.) I confess that I have googled you from time to time but only found that you were still in the Navy and all over the place. I have attached a short bio of myself as an update.

Fourth, I’m still pissed off at you.

Lisa

Sent from my iPad

On…Mark<backseat21@bark.us> wrote:

So good to hear back from you! You are still the methodical engineer, I see.

I did worry about creeping you out so first answer first-

I did not hire a private investigator. I looked online and found you had published aerospace papers while at Georgia Tech and might still be in Atlanta. I looked at property records and found you.

Second- I hope you like Mach3, written by a geeky pilot for smart readers and a bestseller only in his own mind. My final refuge is the fine print in the front,” any resemblance to actual persons… is a coincidence.” There might even be a coincidental long-distance romance in it. 

Third – You did a good job with 30 years in one paragraph-- let’s see: I’ve been married to Linda for 25 years and our son is now 24.  I flew jets as long as I could, but I flew a desk more years than I care to recall before I retired. I did corporate flying for a while, but I am really retired now and waiting around for grandchildren.

It’s nice to be remembered, but to have been googled is an honor. Thanks for sharing your update. It is wonderful to know you are doing better than okay.

Fourth – We were both married and knew we wanted to stay married. I was falling in love with you, and I was a coward. I was transferred to another base and just left without saying goodbye because I couldn’t. I’m sorry and wish I could have a do-over.

I wish all the best back atcha,

Mark

On …Lisa Frazier<redbird999@blab.us> wrote:

Hi again, Mark…

I wanted to finish your book before responding again. I really enjoyed it! It was fun to remember what flying in the Gulf War era was like and, as far as I can tell, you got everything right technically. 

It wasn’t hard to recognize “my character” on page 59! But, I have to say that by the time I got to the last few sentences on the page, I felt like I had been thrown under the metaphorical bus. Only two people in my life know about what happened between you and me - my current husband and my best friend since 1985. Although I have good memories of our shared experiences, I’m not proud of it. So, to see a brief description of our “fling” was very disturbing and I immediately wondered who else that I know might read your book and recognize me. I certainly won’t be telling my children or any other friends about the book and if someone contacts me because they read your book and recognize me, I will have to explain it as “fictional license”. On a lighter note, I did enjoy the part where Jim and Marissa could possibly get together again BUT he might have trouble convincing Marissa to leave Georgia in the future. When you start casting for the blockbuster movie, maybe you could cast Marissa as a tall blonde instead of a short redhead? 

 I’m happy to hear that you have enjoyed a long marriage, but she must be your second wife, if my math is correct. 

Take Care,

Lisa

Sent from my iPad

On…Mark<backseat21@bark.us> wrote:

Hey Lisa!

I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story. I should have known it could upset you. The pen is mightier that the sword, indeed. Thomas Wolfe could barely go back to Asheville after he wrote Look Homeward, Angel because all the residents were mad at him for writing about them. And you haven’t exactly accepted my apology for being a jerk and disappearing all those years ago.

I apologize for stirring up angst about our history together. I did not anticipate that keeping it confidential would still be an issue, and I should have. I sent you the novel for several reasons, including a selfish replay of happy times like the Springsteen song “Glory Days.” But there is no bus- no one you know is going to read this novel unless you tell them – we’re talking hundreds of copies sold in the year since release, not even a thousand. Hollywood’s loss, so don’t you worry.

I put you in the book because you are a great character. Bet, the hero, is based on my wife and I can assure you she alternates between ‘honored’ and ‘pissed off’ about it, which includes the time I took to write it…

But you are also a fascinating real person that affected my life more than you know. We expected that our time together was going to be limited. What you don’t know is that the experience opened my eyes and heart to a conclusion I had been avoiding—my marriage to my high school sweetheart was not going to last. I mean this in the sense that you showed me what was possible with my life if I took the hard steps it would take to get there. Please – you did not break up my marriage!! You helped open me to the decisions I would later make.

Hmm- reading that back is kinda heavy, but you should be reminded how special you are every now and then, eh? 

Or, maybe I sent it just to get a good review on Amazon, har har.

Sail on, red-haired girl,

I do not want to upset your boat!

Mark

On …Lisa Frazier<redbird999@blab.us> wrote:

 Hi Mark,

Thanks for all the kind words and explanations. It means a lot to me that you shared those thoughts. 

BTW - I do think your book would make a great movie, even if it’s not a bestselling book!

I am glad you found me. The thrill of reconnecting with you far outweighs the initial anxiety of seeing my hidden self in your book. I’m honored to have a role in your novel. And knowing that that the hero Bet is modeled after your wife means that she is a very impressive woman! I’m glad that you found long-term happiness and that I unknowingly had a role in that. 

I shared this conversation with my husband for my own peace of mind as well as his. He said you seem like a nice guy, one he could be friends with. And I agree. That said, if you ever find yourselves in Atlanta, please let me know. Perhaps we could meet up for a meal or hike. (This isn’t unprecedented as he has met other men I dated in college - so it’s maybe not too weird.)

It’s been a pleasure catching up with you. Take care (and don’t wait another 29 years to check in!),

Lisa

P.S. I forgive you.

Sent from my iPad

On…Mark<backseat21@bark.us> wrote:

Thanks for the good wishes, forgiveness, and the invite.  You are a good sport after I threw a book at your head. Watch out- I do have business in Atlanta next spring. 

Live Long and Prosper to both you and your understanding hubby. 

Mark