"It was a very learn-on-the-job experience," Theodore admitted. "I don't have any formal training, which leaves me with natural talent; something I'm rather uncomfortable to admit, but there you have it." He smiled that self-deprecating smile of his. "I suppose, however, if I can save anyone from anything, that's as good a start to my 'hero' career as anything." He had, once. He'd saved Jamie from his father. He wasn't thinking about that at the moment, or his demeanor would've been vastly different.
"Better some than none," Theodore agreed. "And, if your brother is at least following your Instagram, perhaps that's a step in the positive direction?" He knew Hugh's family history was a bit complicated - as euphemistic a word as 'comfortable' had been - so he was glad that he had some support within his own family.
He smiled again, and nodded. "We are, in fact, here talking," he allowed. "For which I'm grateful. I honestly expected I would come to Repose and do my summer thing and my writing thing and the author thing--" Yes, those were two very different things, "--and really be too busy for any of this. There was certainly a time I struggled to make friends or meet new people. Or rather, I met so many new people, with all the traveling we did, it was hard to keep and hold onto any lasting friendships. The Digital Age certainly makes that easier, but it's really no substitute for sitting with someone and having a good meal and a good chat."
"If you promise not to laugh at my awkwardness, or push me into the lake, I will certainly think about joining you one of these mornings, if my schedule allows. A lot of early meetings lately, as we're about t-minus four weeks for the launch, now." Most of the 'real' work was done, the books gone to print, so it was all promotional and PR at this stage. Which Theodore, quite honestly, loathed.