Chapter Thirty-Nine
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Subject: Hi
Hey Adam,
Hello from Paris! Yes, I went with Carley on her trip. I finally caved and told my mom about my financial troubles and she offered to help.
I know what you’re thinking. I TOLD YOU SO. You did.
But that’s not why I’m emailing you. It’s because I miss you and am not sure if I’m supposed to miss you like a friend, a roommate, or something more. We never talked about “us.” It probably doesn’t matter since you moved back to Philadelphia but I…
Ugh. This is so cringe. I’m covering my face like you can see me.
I can’t send this. But I do miss you. And I do think you should know about my mom so I’m going to start over and try to be normal.
Maybe I’ll ease into the more personal stuff if you email me back.
I don’t know why I’m still writing this. Bye!
This email was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 11, 5:32 p.m.
Subject: Guess where I am
From: Adam Haber [email protected]
To: Sabrina F. [email protected]
Date: July 11, 5:44 p.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
Epcot? Vegas?
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 11, 6:08 p.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
I can’t tell if you’re joking, but no! It’s the real Eiffel Tower. I’m in Paris with Carley!
From: Adam Haber [email protected]
To: Sabrina F. [email protected]
Date: July 11, 6:14 p.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
Nice! Did you rob a bank?
Guess where I am.
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 11, 6:20 p.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
A parking lot? Wow. That’s so cool. Way better than the Louvre.
No banks were robbed in the planning of this trip. But the Nigerian prince scam really works!
JK
I asked my mom for help. Well, more accurately, she offered .
We had a long talk in a parking lot wearing robes and slippers but…
you had to be there. Long story short, I told her I was broke.
She was upset that I kept it from her and offered to pay for this trip to Europe (along with a cushion to help get me back on my feet).
Your turn. How are you? I hope it’s okay I reached out. It’s been a while, but I thought you should know that you were right. My mom wanted to help. Go on, say it: I TOLD YOU SO.
Gotta run. I’m dragging Carley to Shakespeare and Co. before cocktails at a floating hotel! The goal was to spend $100 a day at the most, but Carley has expensive taste. Let’s blame it on her, shall we?
From: Adam Haber [email protected]
To: Sabrina F. [email protected]
Date: July 13, 9:12 a.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
How was Shakespeare and Co? Do you need another suitcase for all the new books you bought?
I’m glad you told your mom while wearing slippers, although she might have treated you to new socks if she saw your holes. Also, I TOLD YOU SO. Kidding.
It’s the middle of the night here. I can’t sleep. Tell me more about this trip. Is it only Paris or are you on one of those fast-paced “ten cities in ten days” tours?
Doing ok. I don’t love this job, but it’s not the worst. And so far, no demon kids have attacked me with their juice pouches.
My apartment’s not in the metaverse but the dishwasher is in the bathroom.
Manhattan doesn’t have a monopoly on weird setups.
And there’s a great indie bookstore across the street called A Novel Idea.
You’d love it. I go to all their author events.
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 13, 8:33 p.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
We’re in Brussels now! See attached photo of us and some new friends at the Cantillon Brewery.
The city is so charming. Lots of cobblestone streets and gorgeous architecture.
We’re splitting our trip between Paris, Brussels, London, and Rome.
I bought the French version of The Perks of Being a Wallflower . Pic attached.
That bookstore looks so cute and cozy. I hope you were joking about the dishwasher in the bathroom. At least you have an actual bed now. I assume you have an actual bed now?
I’m sorry you don’t love the new job, but at least it’s not the worst. It had some big shoes to fill. Everyone knows librarians make the best co-workers.
From: Adam Haber [email protected]
To: Sabrina F. [email protected]
Date: July 14, 4:08 a.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am?
You look happy. The jacked guy on your left with the lion, tiger, and bear tattoos must really like animals. Did you show him your bunny-rabbit birthmark?
I have a bed now. A waterbed.
Yes, librarians make pretty great co-workers. But nothing gold can stay, right?
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 14, 10:34 a.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
Who says nothing gold can stay (besides Robert Frost and Ponyboy)? No one forced you to quit the library and leave the city! I could have helped you find an apartment. Marcia hasn’t mentioned Jeffrey. Has he even called her yet?
This email was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 14, 10:36 a.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
Jacked Guy (Dean) does love animals. He also has a tattoo of a golden retriever. No comment on my birthmark. Are you jealous?
Is a waterbed like a personal bounce house? I heard it was bad for your back, but you should be used to that from sleeping on a pull-out couch for months.
Today’s our last full day in Brussels. On to Rome next. I can’t wait to stare at the Sistine Chapel, but mostly, I want to eat and drink my way through the city.
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 15, 9:37 p.m.
Subject: Re: Guess where I am
Hi!
Just making sure you got my last message. I’m in Italy! Which makes the subject line pointless. Do we need a new string?
This email was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
From: Adam Haber [email protected]
To: Sabrina F. [email protected]
Date: July 16, 6:12 a.m.
Subject: New email
We needed a new string.
I was joking about the waterbed. Do they even make them anymore?
Are you in Rome now?
Yes. I’m jealous of Jacked Guy. But not because he’s jacked.
And not because he has animal tattoos. Also not because he’s in Brussels and I’m stuck in Philadelphia, where it smells like weed, hot sewer air, cheesesteak, and garbage.
But because he gets to hang out with you (and possibly see your birthmark).
I miss you.
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 17, 1:01 a.m.
Subject: Re: New email
I miss you too. Since you brought it up, I have to ask. Was it just sex or were we on our way to being something more? Because it didn’t feel like just sex to me. But then you just left and neither of us said anything. Would things be different if you stayed?
This email was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 17, 1:03 a.m.
Subject: Re: New email
See picture of me eating the best pizza of my entire life.
I miss you too.
From: Adam Haber [email protected]
To: Sabrina F. [email protected]
Date: July 17, 10:52 p.m.
Subject: Re: New email
That pizza looks almost as good as Una Pizza’s. Did you take one of those pizza-making classes? Or do you only cook in battle?
In London yet? I’m sure you’ll do the touristy things like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and all the museums, but I’ve attached a list of the best bookstores.
Not that you can’t do your own research and I’m sure you have, but I curated this one based on several different sources. (I’m bored.)
I did the same with record shops, which is more my thing than yours, but I couldn’t resist, and pet shops because I know you’ll want to spend some of your daily budget on Rocket.
Send more pictures even if Jacked Guy is in them. (Douchebag)
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 18, 10:16 a.m.
Subject: Re: New email
I don’t only cook in battle! Okay, yes, I do I’m not spending my first ever European trip taking a class! I’m already a student in my real life.
Thank you for the bookstore list. That was so nice of you!
You’re probably joking about being jealous of Dean, but I’m just going to ask because I might literally explode if I don’t. Was any of it real? Or was it just sex and then mind games to mess with my head?
From: Adam Haber [email protected]
To: Sabrina F. [email protected]
Date: July 19, 10:52 p.m.
Subject: Re: New email
It wasn’t just sex and mind games.
From: Sabrina F. [email protected]
To: Adam Haber [email protected]
Date: July 19th, 10:56 p.m.
Subject: Re: New email
But was it real?
This email was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
From: Adam Haber [email protected]
To: Sabrina F. [email protected]
Date: July 19th, 11:01 p.m.
Subject: Re: New email
It was real.