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From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: New project
You can’t begin to imagine the hangover I have. For real. My fucking head is spinning. It was a wild night. My boss came (my real boss, the one who’s usually in LA). His name’s Owen. And he wants me to be a part of a project, producing a single. I’m supposed to do the music, and his sister’s going to sing. So like a song, just by the two of us. To be honest, I had my doubts. But after five drinks, I forgot them and said yes.
I don’t know. I guess it’s weird not to have much ambition when I really do like composing, but I’m worried something might change.
Tell me how you are.
Studying, I imagine.
Good luck. You’re almost there.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: I’ll entertain you
Since I know you’re hiding away in the library now that you’ve made it to the final stretch, I’ll entertain you a little. Everything here is the same. Owen left. He’ll be back in a few weeks with his sister, I’m supposed to play her some stuff, and we’ll see how it works out. He wants to do the song in Brisbane because it’s cheaper. At least at first. I’ll keep you informed.
Between that and work, I’ve been busy lately. I was off last night. You can’t imagine how wild Tracy was being. We ended up swimming naked at the beach, the tide dragged us out, and we took forever to find the clothes we’d left on the shore. It was fun.
Break a leg on your exams, Ginger.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Soooorry!!
I know, I’m the worst friend in the world, Rhys. Really sorry. You guessed right, I’m in the library 24/7 on a steady diet of crackers. But I’m happy for you! The song thing sounds amazing! For real. I don’t know, I have a good feeling about it. And obviously I want to be the first person to hear it. You’re talented, Rhys. You need to take advantage of that. Not that you don’t do so when you’re working, and I know that’s what you like, but you could get more out of it.
You can’t imagine all the nights I fall asleep listening to “Ginger.” It’s the best birthday present anyone’s ever given me.
When you tell me stories about crazy nights that end with naked swimming in the ocean, I have this feeling like we’re living on two different planets. As if you are on Mars and I am on Saturn. I envy you a little sometimes.
Kisses (for real).
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Us on the moon
What’s this about Mars and Saturn? We’re on the moon, Ginger. Don’t wander off through the galaxy without warning me. I might send you some material I’m working on, because sometimes it sounds like shit to me, and then a second later, I think it’s genius.
Keep eating crackers.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: Us on the moon
You’re right. I’ll stay on the moon.
Please send! I want to hear it. I’m sure what you’ve done is amazing.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: Us on the moon
I’m attaching three different mixes. And the lyrics in a separate file. It’s just a rough cut, okay? Lots of details need to change, but you’ll get the idea. I want to know which one conveys more…just more, okay? More of whatever.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: I love them!
I like the first two. And the lyrics are…perfect. Did you write them? I had no idea you could write like that. I especially like the chorus: “I still don’t know what I feel / after all that time inside myself / until I got to the edge of the mountain / and I found you in the fog.”
It’s funny you’d say that about the mountain though, keeping in mind you’ve got a terrible fear of heights.
I don’t know which I’d pick. The first one, maybe.
But don’t make me choose.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: I love them!
I repeat: I’m not scared of heights. It’s a physical reaction. That’s different. Plus I think I showed you on the Ferris wheel I’m basically over it.
I like the first one best too, Ginger.
Thanks.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Get real
You’re honestly going to use what happened on the Ferris wheel to convince me you’re better? Rhys, you were losing it. You literally said, “I hate fucking heights.” You told me you needed to get down. Judge for yourself. I had to kiss you to keep you from bursting into tears.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: Get real
If I could get my hands on you…
You’re so funny, Ginger. You kissed me to keep me from crying, not because you were crazy about me from the first moment you laid eyes on me. Sure.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: Get real
Exactly. It was exactly how you just said it.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Get real
A bit of advice. Don’t ever have an affair. You’re such a bad liar, you’ll get caught before you even know you’re into the other person.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Who do you think I am?
Great. Because I’m never going to have an affair.
I know this must be incomprehensible to you, but I believe in fidelity.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: Who do you think I am?
Why do you think I don’t get that? No one believes in fidelity and loyalty more than me. That’s why I give them to so few people. I don’t run the risk of not keeping my word. I would never betray a promise. And I would never let down someone who mattered to me. What else do you think of me? I’m almost scared to ask.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: About you
Sorry. You’re right. I think sometimes I say the wrong thing when we talk about that stuff because a) I idealize you too much, and b) it helps me avoid disappointment if my fears turn out to be true. Let’s be real, you’re not the most open person I know when it comes to talking about things like…fatherhood, the future, love, or commitment. You don’t even like to talk about your family. And I’m scared to ask.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: About you (part 2)
But I think you’re incredible, Rhys.
You’re brilliant. Independent. An adventurer. Brave. Sincere. Reserved (that’s not bad). Handsome (I’ll never repeat that again). Smart. You can spell (predictably, that matters to me). You’re tender sometimes (you were the night you found me lost in Paris). You’re sincere. Direct. Fun. A little gross (you probably think that’s a virtue, that’s why I’m putting it in). Creative. Contradictory. Melancholic. Aloof (that will be sexy for your future fans). Authentic.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Mmmm
I see you’re doing well in my absence, Ginger. Very good. I especially like you calling me brilliant, authentic, and gross. Now I know what to put on my CV. And…you’re right (I’m not especially stubborn, am I?), it is hard for me to talk about certain things, but I think a lot of people are that way. Try and ask James about kids, and pray he doesn’t take off running. I’ll wait for the results of the experiment.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: Mmmm
I’m sorry to tell you that I did talk to him about it, and it went fine, normal. He wants to be a father and hopes he can get married someday, even if he doesn’t know when. He’s not so weird. If everyone was like you, the human race would go extinct. No one would ever go out with anyone longer than a couple of months. I guess every person is a world.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: DONE!
It’s over, Rhys! I’m SO happy! I’m speechless. A little dizzy too. These days have been chaos, that’s why I haven’t written you (but you haven’t written me either, I guess you’re busy swimming naked or having some other wild adventure). I passed all my classes, two with the highest grade, and I got an A on my final project. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so proud. I’m terrified too, because starting a new life like this all of a sudden is scary. But I’m also excited. This week, I’m moving. For now, I’m living in my sister’s apartment. She has roommates, Michael and Tina, but it turns out Tina’s moving in with this boyfriend she’s only known for a few weeks, and that works out great for me.
What else…? The worst thing was saying goodbye to Kate. She’s staying with her parents in Manchester for a while; then when November comes, she’ll look for a job in London.
I feel like a bottle of champagne full of bubbles and the cork has just shot out. I’m going to finish packing my bags. Then I’ll say goodbye to every wall, every corner, every patch of grass I’ve walked on all these years…
I know, I’m getting sentimental.
I’m done. I hope you’re well. Kisses.