This week’s It’s Storytime With Wil Wheaton is a sweet, queer story about … well, here’s how I introduced it:
Have you ever known someone who went away for some reason, and came back so fundamentally changed, it’s like they picked up an alien parasite along the way that took control of their personality?
And they still look and sound like the person you knew, only … different. And they know it, and you know they know, and they know you know they know, and you both care about each other, so you muddle through the weirdness, seeking to reestablish the connection you had before.
It’s awkward, and uncomfortable, tentative and uncertain. Maybe it’s a little dangerous, for one or both of you, but you do it because you care deeply for each other.
And, hey, maybe the way they they’ve changed isn’t so much them becoming a different person, as much as it is becoming the person they were all along, who is a person both of you love to be with.
This is a story about all of that, and when it’s over, I think you’ll know exactly what it means to have Toothpaste Feelings.
It’s Storytime is available wherever you get your podcasts. We also have a Patreon, where I can tell you the whole story without any advertising interruptions, as well as a whole lot of fun stuff from behind the scenes. If you join for October, you’ll get access to a special, live performance of a classic, spooky story, that’s going to be something special. I’m really excited to do it.
Toothpaste Feelings was originally published in Koreo, a magazine that is rapidly becoming a reliable, go-to source for me to find incredible stories from incredible writers.
If you listen to this episode, or if you have already heard it, I would love to hear your feedback in the comments. If you get a note that your comment is being held for moderation, please be patient while I approve it. I’m sort of a one-man show over here.
Hi, I’m glad you’re here. I’m Wil Wheaton. I tell stories; mostly written by others, sometimes written by myself. I also write this blog. I am @itswilwheaton on Threads and Instagram, where you have a chance to be one of the lucky 1500 the algorithm deems worthy of seeing my posts. If you’d like to get my posts delivered to your inbox, here’s the thingy:
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So — I didn’t want to wait to be able to listen to you read this, but now that I’ve read it, I’m going to have to go back, and listen to you read this. I tore through this short story, ripped through it like I was an excited ten year old on Christmas Eve, getting to open a present early. Toothpaste Feelings gave me ‘Adam here, Adam now’ feelings. I loved it more than I can express.
Isn’t it such a wonderful story? I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Apologies if you’ve already explained this before, but — how do you pick what you’re going to read? Do you have a suggestion box?
My editor, Michael Damian Thomas, selects candidates for me that I review. I’m looking for stories that are surprising, inspiring, with strong narratives and pacing.
I Miss Wesley. and the rest of enterprize D . your life may not have been grate then but that was the best crew!!!! Beth Frame
Nobody listened to this, huh?
I went over to listen to it, and I enjoyed your introduction. But I appreciated your warning that suicide is mentioned and I didn’t want to have to deal with that just at the moment. I do love to hear you read though. There will be other books of yours for me.
Totally get it.
I did, and thank you for the care you put into selecting the stories. I’ve found so many great authors through your podcast. My dad just transitioned to hospice care and my husband and I listen to your podcasts in the car on the way home from spending time with him. It adds a bonus happy memory to those days. We talk a bit about the plot afterwards and compare notes on things that caught our attention. We’re both so grateful for the work you put out into the world.
I’m a little behind in my podcasts. But I’ll listen to it soon =)
I interpreted this as an allegory about trauma and finding yourself again after. I enjoyed the journey. I also loved Rodrigo’s voice and I hope we all have a person in our lives like him.
I think I need to read assimilation because I want to hear more about how the virus works!
I love this interpretation
Hi Wil! Here’s a summary of what I posted on Patreon:
Well, after listening to the story, what I got out of it was a person who feels misunderstood by those around him because they don’t get that the person he used to be just doesn’t exist anymore. It’s also about trying to live up to everyone else’s expectations—even when it’s not what we actually want—and finally just listening to what we feel inside.
Anyway, I hope you liked my feedback. Even if it wasn’t quite what I initially expected to write, I wished I could’ve done a better job.🥺
𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
I love that this is what you got out of this story, and I appreciate you sharing it with me!
Great story & glad I found this podcast!! Love when the perfect message hits right when you need it. 💚