December 14, 2005 3:04PM

Dear Isabella

There's a child outside, a young child, a girl, maybe, yelling at me, maybe I've really broke his heart this time. She's yelling from the playground near the school, outside. But there are too many of them, now, too many on his side, the gossip and slander has spread now, and all words are infectious. It has been a two years, since the first child, in the small town of Forest Hills, the first child, to hear of this story, and belong.

I still remember the day, he was wearing baggy pants and a cap, unlikely scene, for a newly admitted Harvard student, outside my apartment in Forest Hills, with a gang of friends, intimidating me, the stalker.

December 14, 2005 3:09PM

Dear Isabella

What should I do, now? It's only so long, four minutes, before, pacifying a child yelling, by swinging her over your shoulders, playfully, maybe. Why is he still hurt by the almost love affair?

I trusted him, like I trusted Alex, the one who knew my every thought, it's nice to date someone the same age, but I'm 25 and Bryan's only 17.

I called and Guiseppe is here, the professor I met in Italy. He's kneeling, with concerned eyes, holding my hand, not knowing what to do, either. He thinks it is New York. But no, it's not New York, I tell him, it's my ex. Not my ex, Alex, but my ex.