Text to Katie

[nola_wanda]

Hey. It's Dani.

Right now I'm working--I nanny for this really cute toddler overnight a few times a week because his mom works a 6-to-6, so mostly it's just being here while he sleeps--but I'd rather be wherever you are.

I hope that's not a crazy thing to say.

Comments

[nola_jeangrey]

Dani 💕💕 hi! How’s nannying? I’m drinking tea in bed and watching a movie and thinking about you and smiling. I’m so glad I met you.

[nola_wanda]

Kiddo is asleep already so it's quiet. I was doing homework but then I realized I could talk to you instead, which is way better. I can't believe I almost skipped the game and missed out on meeting you.

[nola_jeangrey]

What are you studying? Until I know that I can’t know if I’m more interesting than homework! Why did you almost skip the game?

[nola_wanda]

I don't think there's any homework more interesting than you, but I'm a sociology major. And I almost skipped because...I'm an awkward weirdo? But also when I'm not in class or working I'm usually at the library to try to see my brother. That's where I went when I left. 

[nola_jeangrey]

Sociology! So how people and societies work, huh? What drew you to that? Did you get there in time to meet your brother? By the way, you’re not an awkward weirdo. You’re lovely.

[nola_wanda]

Maybe you're just impossible to be an awkward weirdo around. I didn't get to see him, he wasn't there. I didn't expect him to be, I was just there in case. Our parents don't let me see him, so that's the only place we know that's easy for us to meet up.

[nola_jeangrey]

Can I ask why you’re not allowed to see each other?

[nola_wanda]

Our parents are super controlling, super conservative evangelical Christians. I left when I turned 18. I could've stayed, if I agreed to go to the college they wanted me to go to and keep going to their church and keep following all their rules, but I don't believe any of the things that they do. So I left. And they punished me by cutting me off from their money and from my brother.

[nola_jeangrey]

Oh my god. Dani, I’m so sorry that you have been through so much pain. Is your brother okay?

[nola_wanda]

He's...doing the best he can. They sent him to their camp for like a month and I've seen him since and he seemed okay, okay as he can be, but it's bad. I've been talking to a social worker, trying to figure out how I can get custody, but conversion therapy isn't illegal in Louisiana and isn't automatically considered child abuse. Not yet, anyway.

[nola_jeangrey]

They sent him to a conversion therapy camp??

[nola_wanda]

They run one.

[nola_jeangrey]

Oh my god, Dani. I'm so sorry.

[nola_wanda]

So that's probably why I study sociology.

[nola_jeangrey]

You've had to suffer through so much.

[nola_wanda]

I'm hoping it turns out to be worth it somehow.

[nola_jeangrey]

Your life will be worthwhile no matter what. I wish there was something I could do to help your brother.

[nola_wanda]

Me too. At this point I think he's going to turn 18 before I manage to get him out of there. Waiting is the worst.

[nola_jeangrey]

How long until he turns 18? What will happen when you do get him out of there?

[nola_wanda]

Less than a year. I'm trying to get custody, so he'd come live with me.

[nola_jeangrey]

I hope you can get it.

[nola_wanda]

And if not, he can come live with me as soon as he turns 18 and they can't stop him.

[nola_jeangrey]

Yes! And that will help him a lot.