Why don’t you like me anymore?

Hey, we really need to talk. Listen, I’ve been concerned about our relationship recently, and I think honesty is the best way to handle this. So, I hope you forgive my choice to ask so plainly:

Seriously, did I do something to hurt your feelings? I’m sorry if I did. I would never want to hurt you. I really thought we had something special. Were all those days we spent together a lie? You used to spend hours building with LEGOs and watching Mythbusters, then go to bed dreaming about building a rocket ship to Mars. Now that I give you the chance to build rockets for real, you call me a war profiteer?

What happened?

Do you realize how hurtful your words are? Besides, since when did you care about “neocolonialism” and “the global south”? This isn’t you.

I miss what we had. You used to love it when I gave you jobs. You would line up around the block just for a chance to talk to me. But now, you protest and say mean things about me on your Instagram. It’s really hurtful, not to mention childish.

Do I mean nothing to you? Do all those nights you spent studying physics and math instead of playing outside suddenly not matter? You used to love making big booms and building robots. We spent so much time together, and right when I thought you had grown up and were ready to consummate our relationship, you got cold feet?

I just want things to go back to the way they were; back when you would build planes and computers and rockets for me, and I would give you the chance to have the coolest dang job in the world. That’s what it was really about, right? It was never about the salary for me. We had a real connection. I don’t think the fact that money was involved made it any less genuine, right? Don’t lie and say you just did it for the money. You did it because you loved me.

But now you’re talking crazy. I don’t know what your friends have been saying about me, but they’re lying. I never killed anyone in any war, and I certainly don’t like killing children. Your friends are the real problem, trying to poison your mind and make you feel bad about liking me. They want to turn you against me.

Do you remember the first time you built something you felt proud of? Do you remember the thrill of teamwork and companionship you felt working with others? Do you remember the look in your parents’ eyes when they saw you had a talent for creation?

Well, I was with you then. I can give that feeling to you again, but only if you come back.

And if you don’t come back? Well, you don’t want to make daddy angry now, do you, kitten?

Please. I’m begging you now. Please please please please please. You mean everything to me. I don’t know what I will do without you. God, you’re making me feel like such a horrible person. I know you don’t like who I am, but I’ll change for you. I’ll change for you right now! Please, just stop talking crazy and come back to me. I promise to never hurt you again.

Please. The world is so dangerous and scary right now, and I want you by my side. I need you as I have never needed you before.

I love you.

Yours forever,

Martin Lockheed