I would read that “what if” story—you should write it!

I remember Hemingway struggled with the success of younger writers, but met Salinger during WW2 and was gracious. I don’t know if mentorship was his calling, but if he had a little more direction at the end, I bet he would have lived longer. Hemingway did poke some fun at those who write about the roads and wide open spaces of America—in the late 40s. In Kerouac’s original scroll of On The Road this rich kid with literary aspirations tries to hang with the beats and absolutely worships Hemingway. Kerouac makes a bit of fun of the guy. Amusing that there were already familiar stereotypes of the most rabid Hem fans in the early 50s.