16
She could think only of her letter. —Pride & Prejudice
“Who told you not to trust Noah?” Char says after reading Liam’s email.
“You did. Once again, you are right, and I am wrong about everything.” I cover my face with a pillow and whimper into it.
“We are all wrong sometimes,” she says. “I feel sorry for Darcy. I think he really likes you. Dearest Lettie .”
“I know! I can’t figure out why.” I think of his pained face as I left him at the riverside. I’m haunted by the look in his eyes.
“Because he’s not a snob. He simply has impeccable taste. That’s why he likes you.”
“But seriously, Char, do you think I should warn people about Noah?”
“Didn’t you say he quit a week after you gave your two weeks’ notice?”
“He did.” And then he texted me some nonsense about Bennet Parties not being as much fun without me. I’m sick when I think about texting him.
“Then I wouldn’t bother, unless you hear of someone you know getting involved with him.”
“You’re right. Liam didn’t give me permission to tell people. It’s not really my story to share.”
***
Two days later, I pack Lady with all my worldly goods and start the drive home. I listen to music and some books on tape, but really all I can think about is Darcy’s letter. I had planned on writing him when I reached Iowa. But I find I can’t wait. I’m tormented by the memory of his forlorn face. That night, alone in my motel room in Evanston, Wyoming, I compose my reply.
From: [email protected]
Liam,
Thank you for trusting me with this heartbreaking story. I am so terribly sorry for you and your family, especially Georgie. I’m not sure how you can be so kind to me when I was such a judgmental jerk. I am so sorry.
Yours Truly,
Lettie
I stare at the screen. Hoping for a reply.
The next morning, when I wake before the sun is up, my inbox is empty. I shouldn’t be surprised. There’s really nothing for him to say to me. I drive all day, thinking how wrong, very wrong I was. The closer I am to home, the bigger the sky. Something about the wide horizon cheers me, if only a little. I reach Ames around sunset when the whole dome of heaven burns pink and gold. I’m still sad about the Darcy debacle, but my heart lifts some at being home.
After dinner, I sit on the front steps with one of my sisters, watching fireflies flicker in the dark.
Three texts come in quick succession.
Liam
Thanks for the email
Thanks for believing me
It means a lot
My hands shake as I type back.
Lettie
I meant what I wrote. I am so sorry. I was harsh and said some hurtful things. I don’t know if you can forgive me. But I really hope you will
Liam
Done. Hoping you can forgive me
Lettie
For what?
Liam
Being rude, angry, thoughtless . . .
Lettie
Yes, if you forgive me for all the same things
Liam
Deal
Lettie
So we’re good?
Liam
Yeah
What are you up to?
Lettie
Watching fireflies with my sister
Liam
Which sister? Gretta or Tilly?
I’m taken aback. As far as I recall, I only told Liam about my sisters on that first date in February. He was paying attention.
Lettie
I’m impressed that you remembered their names. I’m with my youngest sister, Tilly
“Tilly!” I call to her. “Take a selfie with me!”
“Fun!” Tilly does a cartwheel on the lawn on her way over to me. She sits next to me on the step. I snap a few pics before she skips off. I glance at the picture. My hair is up in a messy bun, and I have no makeup. But I like my smile. Tilly looks a lot like me, except she has darker hair and she has braces.
Without overthinking it, I send the photo to Liam, followed by another text.
Lettie
Have you ever seen fireflies?
Liam
A couple times. They are ??
Lettie
Haha
I’m about to text more when my dad interrupts me.
“There you are, Lettie!” He sits on the porch next to me. “It’s good to have you back.” It’s obvious he wants to chat for a while, which is probably for the best. Not sure what I’m doing texting Liam. He lives 1700 miles away. And after driving every single one of those miles, I know exactly how far that is.
***
A few days later, I film some extra bright fireflies. I try to send the clip to Liam. But the video is too large to go by text, forcing me to send an email.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Thoughts on Fireflies
Liam,
I caught a group of especially bright fireflies under a pine tree tonight and filmed them for you. This is an exciting event on two counts. First, because fireflies are often gone by this time of year. We rarely see them after the Fourth of July. And second because even the brightest fireflies are tricky to catch on film. Their particular magic is best experienced in real life. However, this batch was so bright that I was able to get some footage just for you. Keep in mind that they were even more enchanting in person.
My sister Gretta (short for Margaret) always catches a few in a jar. (Photo attached.) She never keeps them for more than an hour. I don’t like catching them since it seems cruel, especially considering fireflies have such a short life. Also, they lose some of their mystique if you look too closely. They’re just brown bugs.
When she was little, my sister Tilly (short for Matilda) swallowed several fireflies with the hope that they would make her glow in the dark. She was sorely disappointed. But my dad told her he thought eating the bugs gave her an extra spark in her eyes.
Okay, I’ll stop now. That’s probably more than you ever wanted to hear about fireflies.
Wishing you only the best.
HAGS,
Lettie
From: [email protected]
Subject: Your name?
Lettie,
Your sister’s name is Margaret and goes by Gretta. Your other sister is Matilda and goes by Tilly. Does this mean Lettie is short for something?
Yours with burning curiosity,
Liam
From: [email protected]
Subject: My name
Would you believe it if I said Lettie is short for Aglet?
Yours with hilarity,
Lettie
From: [email protected]
Subject: Reply to: My name
Dearest Owlet,
No! I would not. I don’t think your parents would name you after the plastic end of a shoelace. (And yes, I had to look that up.)
Yours with incomparable wit,
Liam
From: [email protected]
Subject: Reply to: My name
Dear not so witty Liam,
Owls are adorable. I wish I was named after them. And that would make sense since my dad is a birder.
Yours with confidence you will never, ever guess my name,
Lettie
From: [email protected]
Subject: Reply to: My Name
Dearest Rumplestiltskin,
If I guess right, do I get your first-born child? Or would you rather just name them after me? The female version of my name is Wilma, by the way.
Yours With a Great Sense of Humor,
Liam
From: [email protected]
Subject: Reply to: My Name
Dear Mr. Not So Funny,
A strong guess, but alas, you are wrong.
Yours who would not even name a cat after you,
Lettie
From: [email protected]
Subject: Call me Sherlock
Dear Violet,
How’s this for a guess?
Yours truly,
Liam
From: [email protected]
Subject: Reply to: Call me Sherlock
Cheater!!!
From: [email protected]
Subject: Reply to: Call me Sherlock
My sweet, Violet,
Do you call using my memory cheating? I recalled from something you said at the gala that you were named after your aunt, who married Dean Elliot. All I had to do was Google Lettie Benson and Dean Elliot. And voilà victory!
Yours triumphantly,
Liam
P.S. Violets are now my favorite flower.
I read the postscript over and over. If I could, I would turn it into a cross-stitch. We’ve been sending these emails back and forth over the past week. I’m not sure what we are doing. But not only do I like Liam, I’m also a little lonely. So, I begin a new email.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Greetings Sherlock!
You win. Tell me what you’ve been up to this summer. How is Fitz?
Yours with mild curiosity,
Lettie