Did you like my after-show outfit? I’m gonna assume you loved it even though you didn’t say anything about it or anything at all. But we were both swarmed with people after the show, so I know there wasn’t much time to chitchat. I was like, “Tara, go find Matt to talk about how awesome the show was!” But there were just too many folks to give time to, ya know?
So odd that both Stef and Christopher didn’t show up. I’m sure they’re coming tonight. Or maybe they will just wait for closing night, as everyone knows that’s the best performance of the run. And the energy of closing night (especially closing night of the Spring Musical, especially it being MY final show at South High) is gonna be off the charts!!
Your note to me was so sweet. I’m not bein’ condescending ’cuz I’m sure you thought it was tough-guy-ish, but I thought it was so sweet. Just how you’ve grown up a bit. That note was really a sign of you attempting to find your voice, and Matt . . . I definitely think you are more than ready to be a Sophomore.
And look at you bein’ a private investigator and crackin’ the case of Camel Lot. Sometimes (and remember this as you head into your Sophomore year) the answer to what you think is impossible to figure out is often actually right in front of your nose, hidin’ in plain sight.
After closing night wanna get in my Wagoneer and head over to Camel Lot one last time? Even though you know why it’s called that I might just have another surprise for you. It’s nothin’ major, just a show gift of sorts. So? What say you, Young-but-More-Mature Man?
And by the way, both Joy and Stacey were spot-on, Matt. The cut on your face does add a certain somethin’. Who woulda thunk it?
Be good, You,
Tara Maureen Murphy
P.S. Was that a prop ring on Joy’s finger? It looked like a claddagh ring, but it wasn’t, was it? Not that I care.
The South High correspondence ends there. But a recently uncovered envelope postmarked September of 1992 from Tara Maureen Murphy at Boston College suggests there’s more to the story than we may ever know.
Acknowledgments
So grateful to Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties you are an agent like no other and you reignited my faith at every turn. I am “heartened” that I get to do all of this with you.
Where my New York State Thruway Rest-Stop crew at? Jordan Galland, what a great call to get a coffee en route to the Catskills. Your friendship, the Gramercy walk/talk, your generosity—without you there is no this. Jessica K. Almon—the dream-maker, my creative partner. Thank you for giving me the shot. I debut because of you. Thank you for taking the torch, Marissa Grossman—no one else I would rather cross the finish line with. Katherine Quinn—you were the missing piece to the puzzle—thank you for joining our team. And to the guy who made me feel like Charlie Bucket—Ben Schrank, thank you for everything. To everyone at Razorbill and Penguin, this has been a dream come true!
David Krintzman—you have been by my side and had my back from the very beginning. Your friendship, counsel and belief in me has meant more than you know. And to everyone at Morris Yorn, especially Ashley Nissenberg and Kristi Eddington—thank you for everything.
Michelle (Meesh) Pollack—for carrying my dream when I couldn’t and reminding me always it was possible—I pull up my bootstraps because of you (and then place m’boots neatly where they belong. . . because of you.)
My gorgeousess—Evvy Delilah and River Gracie—you are the constellation I looked for my entire life. “When you’re standing next to me somewhere else I feel like I’m at home!”
David Boren—I pitch to you and send you pages because if my big brother likes it and laughs, I feel like I can do anything.
Lisa, Ben, Jonah and Eli Boren—you have given me the greatest gift in the world—a safe stage to try out all of my material . . . EVEN!
And to my Mom(my) and Dad—Here we are.
Endless thanks for your check-ins, words of wisdom, early eyes, love and support throughout this journey—David Castagnetti, Joy Cohen, Josh Stelzer, Chloe Jo Davis, Phil Eisen, Ginger Sherak, Mike, Po, Sam and Zach Boren, Kevin Simms, Jennifer Posner, Rebecca Budig, Justin Warfield, Vicki Davis, Paul Ellis, Jess Pollack, Aaron Hitchcock, Brett and Libby Hansen, Jessica Golden, Jonathan Texera, Kathy Rivkin, Emily Alexander, Lori Price, Matt Silverberg, Melissa Steinitz, Jordana Arkin, Adam Shapiro, Sabrina Eisenstadt, Justin Shilton, Joanne and Bill Pollack, Estee Stanley, Sharon Lee, Austin Winsberg, Erica Baritz, Jonas Vail, Stacey Price, Justin Leigh, Meredith Salenger, Gwynne Pine.
To Kerry Foster and Elizabeth Dutton for knowing.
Forever gratitude to Kelly Ripa—you made this vision board complete.
To every dreamer, it is possible. To every kid who is different, thinks you’re different, is told you’re different—you’re in good company. Harness positively that which makes you unique, create new paths for those behind you and know you are not alone. . . no one is.
Matt Boren has written over eighty-five episodes of television for Melissa and Joey, See Dad Run, and Sofia the First, among others. Boren has acted in many projects in both film and television, including nine seasons as Stuart on How I Met Your Mother. He lives in Los Angeles, California, with his family. Folded Notes from High School is his first novel. Follow him on Twitter @Borentown.
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