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From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: I hate my life
When I think of college, I see all those memories through a rainbow with little stars twinkling around them. I don’t know how I could have ever complained. My “adult life” is so much worse. (I don’t care if you hate that expression, because that’s what it is.) I get up at six, wolf down breakfast, grab a train packed with people, then walk for a long time, to reach a place where everyone seems to treat me differently because I’m the boss’s daughter. It’s not fair. I mean, Dean got hooked up there too, but people ignore it because he’s not directly related and because he just knows how to win them over. Yesterday he brought everyone donuts. Why didn’t I ever think of that? It’s something people in the movies do all the time.
I’d go on torturing you with all the details of my day, but a) I don’t want you to stop being my friend, and b) I have a super-fun meeting about new handle models.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: I hate my life
Come on, Ginger Snap, it can’t be that bad. I wish I could do or say something do encourage you. I suppose adapting is always hard. And you’ve hardly had time for yourself since finishing school. Why don’t you ask your father for a few weeks’ vacation? You didn’t take any time off last summer either. Maybe you need to relax a bit, and then you’ll feel more ready to face things.
I don’t know, Ginger. I’m trying to cheer you up, but I’m terrible giving the kind of advice that you see in fortune cookies. I’m not a mood-lifter. You just blow off all the steam you need, okay? You know I’m always here.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: I hate my life
Yeah, I guess you’re right, but I didn’t dare ask for time off when I found out Dean was about to come on board. It would have looked bad, right? Lazy. I know I’m not in a competition with him, but I want to show that I can handle it. I’ve been studying and preparing myself for years.
Almost the whole staff left to have coffee together during their twenty-minute break, but no one told me. When I walked out of my office, no one was there, just Dad, who was happy to have the time alone with me to go on talking about the new handles we’re putting on the white cabinets. They used to be bronze; now they’re silver. Imagine that.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: I don’t understand
Why didn’t you go with them during your break?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: I don’t understand
Because it’s obvious they didn’t want me to. Rhys, it’s horrible. I feel just like I did when I was little and I had braces and everyone at school ignored me. But back then, at least Dean helped me; now it seems like he’s forgotten I exist.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: I don’t understand
Dean’s an imbecile. I can’t stand you feeling like that, Ginger. I wish I could be there to help you out or tell you some jokes or make your life easier.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: I admit it
I imagine that, you know? A parallel reality where you live in London. Your apartment’s close to mine, we get together every Friday night for dinner, and we catch up in person instead of sending emails. You’re working in some popular club, and I go there to see you sometimes, when you’re hosting a big event. Obviously this fantasy doesn’t include going to the office every day; instead I have my own independent publishing company. And I’m an elegant, self-assured woman living in the big city who is capable of saying no when she doesn’t want to do something.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: I admit it
Well, on paper it doesn’t sound bad, right, Ginger? Who knows? Maybe one day. I don’t know if I could hold up for too long in London. And I couldn’t see you just once a week. Two or three times would be better. The publishing company, though, that sounds real to me; that doesn’t sound like a fantasy at all.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: I’ll get used to it
Whatever, it’s fine, I’ll adapt and figure it out. At least things are good at home. I love living with Donna. And Michael’s a good guy, even if he doesn’t talk much and my mom’s scared of him. The other day, he was asking about your song; I was lying in bed screaming out the lyrics to “Ginger” because I didn’t think anyone was home, and he knocked on the door and asked me who the song was by. I was all over the place when I tried to answer him, but I think he realized it was an as-yet-unknown artist (and you are that, Rhys) who was on the verge of breaking out.
How’s the project going? When will it see the light of day?
Everything will be amazing, you’ll see.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Dates and stuff
It launches in a week, but I guess promotion has already started. I’m glad I’m here and don’t have to be exposed to it. It’s for the best. Alexa tried to get me to go to LA with her, but I don’t know, I don’t feel like going anywhere now. I’m doing well here; it’s relaxing. I think you’d like it.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: It’s not fair
By the way, I didn’t tell you when I saw it a few weeks ago, but Alexa put a photo of the two of you on her Instagram. (Yeah, I was stalking you, whatever, don’t laugh or roll your eyes.) What kind of nonsense is this? You’re my best friend, and I can’t take a photo with you, but she can? It’s not fair. Sometimes I forget what exactly your face is like. Not the main outline, obviously, but the little details. I’d like to have you on my corkboard of happy memories. Because you’re one of them, Rhys.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: I hate my life
Alexa pushed me, and I couldn’t say no. She’s stubborn.
But if it really bothers you, I’ll send a photo. I just took it. The beach is the same one you can see from my back porch. I hope it keeps you from forgetting the little details, and you can hang it up on your corkboard.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations, Rhys! Today’s the big day! I can’t believe I logged on to Spotify, and there was your name. And the song…it’s perfect. Brilliant. You’re brilliant. You must be so proud. Does your whole family know? I hope so, because they’ll be just as happy as I am.
Tell me how everything goes, Rhys.
Best of luck.