Hello, it is the 28th, and I am back with a new chapter! A little back to basics with this one - and like last month, it focuses on the singer/songwriter aspect of Misty's life. I mentioned in the previous author's note that I had been thinking a lot about Misty's relationship with Justin, the eldest son of Jessie and James, and how they bounce a lot of creative ideas between each other. This chapter really details how true that sentiment rings! Here we have a thank you letter from Misty to Justin. I hope you enjoy :)

Dear Justin,

It's just your favorite pal dropping a message in to you– Misty of course. The best auntie to your kids. Your almost-and-honorary mother-in-law since forever. And hopefully your new first choice collaborator.

In all seriousness:

I wanted to thank you for the journey that you have been on with me. Getting to write an actual note to you on the sleeve of the record that I put out was a crazy, bizarre, wonderful thing and I liked summing up my gratitude to you there as much as our time making music. But I wanted to write to you personally – to thank you for all that you have done.

I could not have done any of this without you.

It's new to admit this, but you have always been one of the few people to truly see me, you know? Motherhood is beautifully complicated and heart-opening for anybody and I was no different. As much as it gave me many things to focus on other than myself and whatever pain I had been through in the past – the mistakes that I had made – sometimes I think I took it too far.

There came a time when I just felt like just Mom rather than Misty. And the more that I forgot that scrawny little big mouth that I used to be, the more ashamed and guilty I felt for the choices that I made as I was trying to figure out life.

And then you came alone.

You were born long before any of these things that we both know about, but I mean that life began to happen for you too as you grew up and things occurred that you would change and you came face to face with scenarios that altered you in more ways than you could describe.

I know that you would disagree with me, but you handled your shit with far more grace than I ever could. And I want you to know that I admire how quickly you were to take the stories that were making up your own life and turn them into works of art for people to sing along to. I know that in your mind it happened differently. But looking on at you – affectionately – admiringly – you really did something I could only dream of.

Getting to make music of my own has been a wild ride. But I can't say that I am entirely surprised that it happened when it did. When we were all locked in our own houses with nothing else to turn to other than the echoes of our hearts and minds, I found myself longing to tell stories that I never dared share before.

I had watched you experience love and loss so honorably and a part of me was bleeding out to write in the way that you did and always have done. Aching to come face to face with thoughts I never dared say aloud and to finally see them staring back at me.

It was tentative at first. But then I confessed to you that I had started working on things and the light in your eyes – the grin on your face – gave me the courage to dig even deeper. It was not even your songwriting mastery or your musical magic that was most helpful to me during those early times. When I was afraid that I was being too bold and that I was wading in waters that I did not know the depth of, it was you being you that uplifted me the most.

Your calm yet exuberant enthusiasm and even your silent nods of the head – scrunches of your nose – were so helpful to me. You believed in me far sooner than I could believe in myself.

And now here we are.

The music is far from being yours or mine anymore because it is out there in the world, and I must deal with my face out there in record shops. Yes, I have finally received a taste of my own medicine from the way that I shove your own glossy cover in your face when we are out!

Once upon a time I believed that nobody could know about these parts of me. That nobody in my close circle could love me if they knew, let alone strangers with even less attachment to me. I cannot say that I can bask in the compliments all that comfortably just yet, but I can admit that I am proud of myself.

Perhaps it is a small mountain to climb for some. But for me it was the greatest challenge. Confronting parts of myself – stories from my past – that I took an oath and swore would never see the light of day.

So much for that! And thank goodness for it.

Thank goodness for you, Justin.

Without your unfaltering ability to wade into unknown waters and take countless leaps of faith – without your determination to wear your heart on your sleeve no matter the cost – none of this would have happened.

I really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. For being a friend. For believing in me. For being the most gorgeous collaborator and for lending your own melodies, experiences, and vulnerability to my work. Our work.

But most of all, thank you for finding the parts of me that I never knew were there. Along with coaxing the darkness out of me and shining a new light on it, you encouraged out a version of Misty that not only has she made friends with but has forgiven.

From the bottom of my aging, sentimental heart, Justin, thank you.

Let's do all this again sometime.

From your devoted friend,

Misty.

Laters!

There you go! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed :) This chapter came about because once again I saw James Bay in concert and he heavily influences many aspects of Justin, especially the musical career. Justin's relationship with Misty really is so vivid in my mind. Justin would definitely disagree with many of her compliments, as much as he would be flattered by them! I've published chapters in other stories showing how he didn't quite handle these challenging moments in life with grace - but Misty is a lot kinder to him and others than she is herself :D I'm glad that they found each other and are able to bring out parts of each other that would otherwise remain hidden. Those kind of friendships are priceless and I so love writing about them! Thank you again for reading and perhaps I'll see you next month for another update of this story - or I might catch you over on Pikachu Tales! It's Pokeshipping Week over on Tumblr the first week of November so all of my November uploads will follow the themes, starting on the 13th for me! See you when I see you :)

Amy signing out!