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87
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Just thinking
I know you told me you were planning on working the whole summer this year, but why don’t you take a couple of days off? You’re your own boss. You could come here and get some rest. It’ll be fun, Ginger. Like last year. But we won’t spend all day in bed together like last time, since there’s someone in your life or whatever.
Anyway, let me know. I’d like to see you.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: Just thinking
I’d like to see you too, but it can’t happen. I’m only taking two days off because James asked me to go to his grandmother’s birthday party. It’s in the suburbs, and his whole family gathers every year to celebrate. We’ll probably spend the weekend out there.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: Just thinking
Wow. Family gatherings? Weekends in the country? I see this is getting serious. Tell me more. Will you do five o’clock tea? Are they going to teach you to crochet?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Just thinking
If you’re trying to be funny, it’s not working.
And yes, it’s serious. Serious enough that James asked me a few weeks ago to move in with him and I said yes. You may as well know I’d also love to learn to crochet; I’m sure I’d find it fascinating. It’s probably super relaxing.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: I don’t get it
You’re going to live with him? Well then…
I guess I should congratulate you? I’m happy for you, Ginger. It seems like you’re accomplishing everything you set out to do years ago. I don’t understand the rush though. On your part or on James’s. But whatever. Good. Great. Everything’s great.
Enjoy your weekend in the country.
And give my best to James’s grandmother.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: I don’t get it
Are you back from your little adventure? How was the family gathering? I haven’t heard from you in a week. Here everything’s the same old same old, nothing really to tell.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: I like the country
It was amazing. James’s family is so charming! Every single one of them: his sister, his cousins, his parents, his grandmother… I don’t know, they just made me feel at home. And I forgot how relaxing it was to spend some time outside the city. I think I want something like that in the future: a house somewhere calm where I can go for vacation. And do nothing, just watch the hours pass, sleep after each meal, read under an apple tree in the shade…
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Reflections
Aren’t you awful young to be wishing for that?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: Reflections
Aren’t you a little old to be living the life you’re leading?
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: Reflections
What’s that supposed to mean?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Reflections
You know perfectly well, Rhys. You need to hit the brakes sometime, and that’s about more than your age. It makes you angry to hear this, but I get the feeling you’re not exactly doing great, that you’re not yourself, and that worries me. Seeing you so cynical. Almost like someone else.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Reflections
I’m surprised to hear you say that given what your favorite book is. “All grown-ups were once children—although few of them remember it.” I have the feeling sometimes that you’re no longer the girl who used to press her nose into the window of the pastry shop. And another thing: you don’t know me as well as you think, Ginger.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Reflections
You’re wrong there, Rhys. Sorry, but I do know you. And I may as well answer your quote with another one: “It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself rightly, then you are indeed a man of true wisdom.”
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Congratulations!
Happy birthday, Rhys. Thirty. My lord. How time passes. I guess you’re still angry at me (this time I don’t know why), but I still hope you’re having a great day and that you make a nice wish when you blow out the candles.
Kisses (sincerely) and hugs.