Dearest Drew ~
Almost without exception, I steer clear of any effort that requires reading short stories on this site. 
It’s not that I don’t love a good story. I do!! I do!! I am an insatiable reader. However, as I’ve gotten older,
I’ve become much more discriminating in those things I give my attention to. Perhaps it’s the sudden
realization of days numbered ahead being likely less than I’ve known already, I’m wiser with my time. 
That said, apparently my good sense was on leave when the Rising Star auction started,
and so I donated a package or two. Most made perfect sense as they required only the reading
and review of poetic endeavors. One, on the other hand, made no sense at all for it meant time spent
doing something I’m not particularly fond of. When the auction ended, I was half tempted to check to
make sure Willow hadn’t misunderstood. But then I saw you were the winner, and figured I could suffer
through it if for no other reason than out of kindness to someone I admire.
I wasn’t prepared to be amazed.
I wasn’t prepared to want the short story to become a novella.
I wasn’t prepared to be envious of the hand that penned the pages.
I suppose there are those who would find the story ‘obtuse’ as I believe you touted to me previously
(although when reading, I wondered if that comment was a reference to the storyline). I didn’t find
it that way at all, but rather enjoyed the duel between Carly and his professor.
By any chance, have you seen the movie “Wonder Boys”, staring Michael Douglas, Robert Downey Jr.,
and Tobey Maguire? In some ways (all good), your story reminded me of that movie. The most
obvious of which was that the main character, professor Grady Tripp (played by Douglas) taught
writing at the local college, but his real claim to fame was his first and only novel many years before.
He had received the Pulitzer. There were many reasons as to why he hadn’t written a second book,
some more obvious than others. In fact, he was in the midst of writing a book. The issue was that it was
far from being finished and had already committed more than 900 pages. Tobey Maguire played
the part of a student (much like your Carly); a student that both challenged him
(because he was such a good writer) and idolized him.
If you haven’t seen the film, you should. It’s one of my favorites.
I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I absolutely loved this story. I loved the tender reality
of the keyboard clacking in class, and a chalkboard filled with jerky handwriting. I loved Carly’s
youthful arrogance in speaking with the professor, and, in turn, the professor’s unspoken appreciation
for a student that would dare to risk offense.
I loved the story. I love being surprised.
”Then, over a long but steep decline, it's nothing more than a shaken fist,
a waved cane against a world that moved on somewhere between your first love
and the loss of your parents. And you realize, impotent, that you stood mired in anger
while the years slipped by like so much blood in a vein, heedless to your own innocence."
Like professor Knotts, I came into this expecting it to be the same ole same ole, and you’ve moved
me to set aside my coffee. You’ve proven me to be slightly obtuse by giving me
what I hadn’t expected ~ a true work of literary brilliance. Outstanding!!! 
Thank you, Drew.
Much love (and appreciation),
Bobbie
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