Half His Age

Back at home, Waldo finds a sticky note from her mother on the fridge explaining that she is at her boyfriend Tony’s. Waldo makes herself a frozen lasagna and takes it to her room, where she puts the note in “the jewelry box overstuffed with them” (9) and settles in for a night of watching video clips online. Finally, she fills an online shopping cart with clothes she doesn’t need.

A senior at East High in Anchorage, Alaska, Waldo attends her first creative writing class with Mr. Teddy Korgy. Korgy begins the class by identifying himself as a failure and explaining why. He asserts that he values honesty in writing above all else and demands the same from his students. Waldo studies Korgy’s aging appearance with fascination, deciding that she is going to be with him no matter what.

Waldo works a shift at Victoria’s Secret. She helps a middle-aged woman find the right bra. The woman is so thrilled with Waldo’s service that she insists on leaving her a good review and reminds Waldo to never underestimate herself. Waldo is unsure how to value herself.

Waldo returns home to another sticky note from her mother on the fridge. She microwaves frozen pizza rolls and retreats to her room to watch more vlogs and do more online shopping. As soon as she places another order, she regrets her purchases. She falls asleep with her laptop in bed with her.

Waldo finds herself fantasizing about Mr. Korgy during her next creative writing class. At the end of the session, Korgy tasks the students with writing a poem that begins with the line, “I am from” (19).

Waldo meets up with her friend Frannie after school and tells her about breaking up with Randy. Frannie is frustrated that Waldo didn’t tell her sooner, as they’re supposed to be best friends. They used to be inseparable, but Waldo has felt wary of Frannie in recent years. She is Mormon, and Waldo thinks she sees her as a charity case. Attending church with Frannie’s family made Waldo believe that Frannie has only been friends with her out of pity. Waldo dismisses the breakup as no big deal, and they part ways.

In creative writing class, the students read their poems aloud. Waldo studies Korgy to see how he’s receiving her classmates’ work, but can’t tell what he really thinks. She worked hard to look good for him today and notices he’s wearing a purple sweater, which is different from his usual attire. Then she shares her poem, which overtly details her difficult childhood with her single mother. She thinks Korgy approves.

After class, Waldo races to the bathroom and masturbates to photos from Korgy’s Instagram. She skips past the images of him with his wife and child.

Waldo spends another night sitting in bed, online shopping, and writing a personal essay for creative writing class. Then she masturbates to Korgy’s Instagram again.

Korgy asks Waldo to stay after class. He compliments her writing and encourages her work. He is particularly impressed by her authorial voice.

Waldo returns home to find her mother drunk at the kitchen table. She sobs about Tony dumping her and how sad she is that he isn’t “the one.” Waldo’s mother is always seeing men she thinks are her soulmate and is disappointed every time. She warns Waldo about letting men ruin her life and suggests they spend more time together, starting with a drive to Seward. Allegedly, they drove to Seward together years ago; each time her mother goes through a breakup, she tells Waldo they’ll do this trip again, but it never happens. Waldo comforts her mother.

Waldo makes the mistake of telling Frannie about her creative writing class and what Korgy said about her writing. Frannie asserts that of course Korgy thinks she’s good, because she has a harrowing story.

Incensed, Waldo storms into the library to confront Korgy. She accuses him of pitying her just because she’s had a hard life. Korgy insists he was being sincere and that harrowing stories don’t necessarily make for good writing. When he moves to leave, his bag bursts open, and he remarks on how much his wife, Gwen, hates the schoolbag.

Waldo returns home to another sticky note on the fridge. Her mother is back with Tony, and she won’t be home. Waldo tosses the note this time.

Waldo is working at Victoria’s Secret when Korgy shows up. He came to the mall for a gift for his son, and noticed her as he was passing by. He then invites her to dinner with his family; he told Gwen about what a promising student she is, and she suggested having her over.

An uncomfortable Waldo tries making a joke, but it doesn’t land. She notices how much more honed Korgy’s humor is than hers. Finally, she agrees to the dinner.

Waldo visits Target and buys an excess of beauty supplies. Back at home, she shaves, shampoos, and conditions her entire body. Then she puts on makeup and finds the perfect outfit. Although exhausted, she almost feels beautiful.

At Korgy’s house, Waldo is impressed by Gwen, who seems like a real woman. Over dinner, Gwen launches into cute stories about her and Korgy, which feel rehearsed to Waldo. She asks Waldo about herself, and Waldo answers honestly. A visibly uncomfortable Gwen tries changing the subject to Waldo’s dating life when her son Gregory wakes up. She excuses herself to put Gregory back to bed.

In her absence, Waldo and Korgy make eye contact and remark on how great Gwen is. When she returns, she again asks if Waldo is interested in anyone. Waldo says yes, glancing at Korgy.

Waldo emails Korgy a thank-you for dinner and signs with her phone number.

Waldo is spending Thanksgiving with Frannie’s family when Korgy calls her. She excuses herself to answer. Korgy explains that he is alone for the holiday because Gwen and Gregory are with Gwen’s parents, who disapprove of him. They talk briefly about writing and books.

Finally, Waldo suggests they take a walk together. Korgy makes an excuse about having a lot of chores to do and ends the call. Throughout the rest of Thanksgiving, Waldo chastises herself for pushing Korgy too far.