Begin With Your Name Novels & Stories

I was too busy teaching myself how to breathe without choking on anger with each breath. I waited for the door to open behind me, then took her hand and headed for the stairs. The mother stepped in our way. I think I forgot she was there for a second. What the fuck? Something, a soft whisper somewhere deep inside me, uttered Gianna's name as if urging me to focus on her and her alone.

"Sir, we meet again. What a coincidence!" "Indeed!" Woody returned his smile. "We just met a few days ago in the old town, but here we are again. May I ask what's your name?" "My name is Gen," Gen introduced himself. A smile hung on Woody's face as he said, "Genesis, the beginning and origin of all." Gen was surprised because he hadn't expected Woody to grasp the meaning behind his percept name so easily. "You're a knowledgeable man, sir. I'm very impressed. How should I address you?"

“I…” “And we’ll have to figure out what you actually want it to say.” I shrugged. “Can’t I just do my initials like you do for yours?” He wrinkled his nose. “I was thinking CamyB with no spaces and the C and B capitalized.” My eyes widened with dread. “But couldn’t someone figure out it was me if I used my real name?” “But how would anyone know it’s actually your real name?” he countered as he pulled the first spray can from the bag. “Besides, how would anyone know if the B stood for your middle initial or last name?”

Where was I going to start? “I don't even know your name, how can I tell you about myself without knowing your name?” I said and sipped on my drink, this was my third, and I wanted to go slowly. “Accardo.” “Just Accardo?” “Just Accardo, what's your name?” “Jess, just Jess.” I didn't want to give him my full name. “Jess, interesting, so tell me about yourself.” He rested his head against the stool. I anxiously rubbed my palms, not because I was scared but because I didn't know where to start. “You can start by telling me about today.” He realized my anxiety.

A thick black Sharpie. The cap is already off. You feel the wet tip drag across your skin as he writes. "Anders." The first name. The first man who ever won you in the lottery. The marker moves lower, between your shoulder blades. "Chen." Then, "Reynolds. Patel. Kwon…"

Bob asked. “AAH!” Austin said, his arms flailing. Eyes are on him with a what-the-fuck look, including me. “Her name starts with A and ends with A!” He said, turning to look at his friends like he just made the best idea ever. “No one will know it’s her!” “Yeah, but they might think that we need help,” Liam said. “Why do you even have to say it like that?”Sadie asked. Austin opens his mouth but no answer left it.

"Here you go." She took the phone. "My name's-" I laughed, rudely interrupting her as I shrugged and reached for my discarded coffee, "Sorry, no names." "No names?" "Names cause a certain familiarity I'm not comfortable with. Next time lead with where you want me to screw you, and for how long... If you lead with a name then that means you want me to remember it, which I won't." Her eyes widened. "I'm late." I winked. "But it was nice meeting a fan."

I look down at the address again. My first task. My first test. I take a deep breath. “Don’t mess this up,” I whisper to myself. Then I straighten my shoulders and start walking.

"Can I know your name?" I part my lips, but nothing comes out. It's as if the words have lodged themselves somewhere in my throat and decided to stay there. He chuckles, a low sound that rumbles through his chest. "I think I've rendered you speechless." His smile turns sheepish. "I'll go first. My name is Stephan Macaulay."

“And what would be your name?” “Penelope Tate,” I said, forcing the words out as if they were stuck in my throat. I don’t ever remember using my name for month, and it felt strange coming from my lips. She scribbled my name on a form, her pen moving quickly. “How much would you like to withdraw?” I hesitated, the lump in my throat growing. “Everything.” Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Everything? Are you sure?” “Yes,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “I need it all.”