CHAPTER 38
May 7 at 7:55 p.m.
Lila: Hi. How’s Ginny?
Reed: Hey. She’s doing well. Just came back from a walk. *picture attached*
Lila: Thanks for answering. I didn’t think you would. She looks so cute.
May 12 at 11:03 a.m.
Reed: I hope I’m not intruding. Just thought you’d like this picture of Ginny wearing a birthday hat. They celebrated a party at the dog daycare yesterday. *picture attached*
Lila: Oh my God. She’s adorable.
May 15 at 6:27 p.m.
Lila: How are things at the youth center?
Reed: Just got out of a session with Cameron. He says hi. Boxing lessons are paying off for everyone. Melody can now throw a punch.
Lila: Please tell them I miss them and I’m glad they’re doing well. Go Melody :)
May 19 at 9:48 p.m.
Reed: How are you doing?
May 20 at 12:19 a.m.
Lila: I’ve been better. You?
Reed: I’ve been better too.
May 28 at 8:01 p.m.
Reed: Ginny did a funny thing today. And by funny, I mean funny to her, not to me. *picture attached*
Lila: Did she… eat that cushion?
Reed: Only disrespected it a bit. I’ve spent the past twenty minutes picking up polyester from the floor.
Lila: Look at that cute face, though.
Reed: She knows how to use it.
June 4 at 8:25 p.m.
Lila: How are you doing?
Reed: Tired from work. Going to the gym probably didn’t help my exhaustion. How are you?
Lila: Just got back from a pottery class.
Reed: Pottery?
Lila: It’s a new hobby. I’ve been making lots of mugs.
Reed: Can I see?
Lila: This is my most recent one. *picture attached*
Reed: The little hearts look great. Creating beautiful things suits you.
June 6 at 1:54 p.m.
Reed: Hey. I just wanted to apologize for my last text. It was a little weird.
Lila: It’s not weird if it made me smile.
Reed: I’m glad I made you smile.
June 6 at 8:16 p.m.
Lila: I wanted to make you smile too. *picture attached*
Lila: Hopefully I didn’t make you cringe instead.
Reed: I never thought you’d send me a dad joke about academia.
Lila: But did it make you smile?
Reed: I’m smiling right now.
June 8 at 3:14 p.m.
Lila: I just wanted to congratulate you on your project. I read that it was approved last week. It will be life-changing for children.
Reed: Thanks, Lila. I’m glad it went through.
Lila: I didn’t see your name on it, though. Did I miss it?
Reed: I couldn’t stay on the project after I left my research position. University policy.
Lila: Oh. I didn’t know.
Reed: It’s okay. What matters is that it’ll make a real change.
Lila: Do you know when the foster homes and youth centers will get the new funding?
Reed: Hopefully in October.
Lila: That’s amazing. Whether your name is attached to it or not, it was all your doing. You deserve this success.
Reed: Thanks, Lila.
June 10 at 4:58 p.m.
Lila: Any exciting plans for the summer?
Reed: Not really. Staying in Warlington, applying for a few jobs. Hanging out with Ginny, Liam, and Warren.
Lila: What do you mean applying for a few jobs?
Reed: I want to work with kids, not in a lab. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple years now, actually, but never took the leap.
Lila: Makes sense. Any offers so far?
Reed: I haven’t formally applied anywhere yet. I wanted to take a short break and focus on the youth center. What about your summer plans?
Lila: I’m traveling with Mariah for a few weeks. We’re going up to this lake town in Maine—Bannport. My aunt and uncle have a cabin up there.
Reed: Sounds great. I’m sure you’ll have fun.
June 12 at 9:32 p.m.
Reed: Sorry, I have to ask. Did you get your youth counseling license? You don’t have to answer. I don’t want to overstep.
Lila: Um, not yet.
Reed: Is it not in your plans anymore?
Lila: It is. I’m not sure if you know, but I was allowed to graduate in January. I went to Norcastle after that with my aunt and uncle. Worked at a café. Did pottery. That kind of thing.
Reed: You needed a break.
Lila: Yes.
Reed: How are you feeling now?
Lila: Better. I needed to find myself. Get to know who I am outside of school and academia.
Reed: And did you do it?
Lila: I’m almost there.
June 16 at 5:02 p.m.
Lila: New mug *picture attached*
Reed: Didn’t know orange and pink went together. Looks good.
June 17 at 8:30 p.m.
Reed: Ginny made a new friend at the park. *picture attached*
Lila: Awww. Is that her boyfriend? Girlfriend? Look at their noses pressed together.
Reed: She’s not allowed to have boyfriends or girlfriends. She’s my baby.
Lila: Protective much?
Reed: Damn right.
June 20 at 6:24 p.m.
Lila: Just got to Maine with Mariah. Isn’t the lake so pretty? *picture attached*
Reed: It is. Have fun and stay safe.
Lila: Thank you :)
June 23 at 3:23 a.m.
Lila: I just had a nightmare, and I can’t fall back asleep. I don’t know why I’m texting you.
Reed: Are you okay?
Lila: Why are you up?
Lila: I didn’t think you’d reply.
Reed: It’s one of those sleepless nights. Answer me.
Lila: Bossy. It was just a nightmare. Why can’t you fall asleep?
Reed: Too much on my mind.
Lila: As in…?
Reed: As in you.
Reed: Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.
Lila: It’s okay.
Lila: You’re on my mind, too.
Reed: Yeah?
Lila: All the time.
June 23 at 8:05 a.m.
Reed: Good morning. Did you fall back asleep last night?
Lila: Yeah, but I didn’t sleep very well. You?
Reed: I slept for two hours or so.
Lila: Oof.
Reed: I know. And by the way.
Lila: Yes?
Reed: You’re on my mind all the time, too.
June 25 at 7:26 p.m.
Lila: Just got back home from Bannport. Time to start studying my ass off for that license. Any tips?
Reed: Not many. I’ll email you some mock exams.
Lila: Thanks :)
Reed: Good luck. You’ll nail it.
June 30 at 11:09 p.m.
Lila: Question.
Reed: Shoot.
Lila: Do you miss me?
Reed: All the time.
July 1 at 10:14 p.m.
Reed: Question.
Lila: Yes?
Reed: Why a café?
Lila: What?
Reed: Why did you work at a café in Norcastle?
Lila: It was the first place that called me back. I wanted a job that had nothing to do with academia or my master’s. Not that I don’t love working with kids, because I do, but I needed something different.
Reed: Did that job help you find yourself?
Lila: In a weird way, yes. It helped me see my worth outside of my grades. Like I had other parts of me to offer. I had no barista experience, and I was a shitty one for the first couple of weeks, and it was okay. I didn’t feel like a failure or take it personally. Sorry, I’m rambling.
Reed: Don’t need to apologize. I could read your texts for hours.
Lila: I’m blushing.
Reed: Good.
Reed: I have another question.
Lila: Go ahead.
Reed: Do you miss me?
Lila: All the time.
July 3 at 4:12 p.m.
Lila: It’s official. My dad is retiring next month. I don’t know how to feel about it.
Reed: Feel free to vent.
Lila: Oh, I’m going to.
Lila: It’s just the fact that he’s getting old, I think. He’s been a tattoo artist all his life, long before I was born. It’s part of his identity. It’s weird that he won’t work there anymore.
Reed: Changes can be scary. What you’re feeling is normal. Have you talked to your dad about it?
Lila: Yeah. He’s excited about retiring. Says he and my mom can travel more now and do more things together.
Reed: Retirement won’t be a bad thing, then.
Lila: I guess not. I just need to get over it.
Reed: It’s okay not to be over it. Just text me whenever you want to talk. I’m here.
Lila: Thank you. I’m here, too.
July 5 at 7:39 a.m.
Reed: Happy 25th birthday, little criminal.
Lila: I didn’t think you’d remember. Thank you :)
Reed: I could never forget.
Lila: I can’t believe my brain is fully developed now. Honestly, it feels the same.
Reed: Any big plans today? Enjoy the new brain.
Lila: I’m going out with Mariah and some friends.
Reed: Have fun, then. And be safe.
Lila: Thanks :)
Lila: Also, I missed that nickname.
Reed: Me too.
July 7 at 10:25 p.m.
Lila: Hi.
Reed: Hey.
Lila: I need to tell you something.
Reed: I’m listening.
Lila: I had fun at my birthday party, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how you weren’t there.
Reed: Did you want me to be there?
Lila: Yes.
Reed: I would’ve been there if you’d asked me to.
Lila: I don’t trust myself around you.
Reed: I don’t trust myself around you either.
July 9 at 10:01 p.m.
Lila: Reed.
Reed: Lila.
Lila: Are you at home?
Reed: Yes. Why?
Lila: Are you free?
Reed: Yes.
Lila: Can I call you?