Page 104 of Only After We Met
“Ginger, that’s enough. Wrap it up.”
“Goodbye! Thanks everyone! Long live the bride and groom!”
Another round of applause, whistling, hurrahs.
I don’t know why, but I couldn’t stop smiling.
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From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: It’s a nightmare
I want to die, Rhys. Seriously. It’s awful. Everything. I don’t even know where to start. Remember the Saturday of Dean’s wedding? Well, I had to give a dumb speech, and I spent days preparing it, but… I didn’t think about the possibility that I’d be drunk. You can’t imagine how delicious the cocktails were there. So I wound up making a complete ass of myself in front of all the guests. I wouldn’t be surprised if it went viral on YouTube. But most importantly: I quit my job.
Yep. At my ex’s wedding.
I told him he could have it.
I don’t know what my deal was; I guess I just lost control. Donna said in one minute I let out all the things I’d been repressing for years. I spent all yesterday vomiting and lying on the sofa crying, full of regret. I didn’t even have the strength towrite and tell you. You know what’s worse? Today, Monday, I went into the office. Dad wanted me to see him, and he told me it was fine, everyone can have a bad day, and even if he didn’t like being embarrassed in front of all our colleagues at the wedding, we could just pretend nothing happened, and I could go back to work and handle the pending invoices.
So…I told him no.
I didn’t even think about it beforehand. It just came out. I don’t want to work there. I don’t want to get up and go there every morning. That’s it. And it’s the truth. At the end of the day, I put all my stuff in a cardboard box and carried it out, and I left my family’s company, right there before my father’s eyes. (He’s not picking up the phone, but Mom says he’ll get over it.)
I’m lost, Rhys. Lost and depressed.
My future looks very dark right now.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: It’s not a nightmare
Congratulations, Ginger! It was about time. I’m proud of you. Not proud that you got hammered at Dean’s wedding, but proud of all the other things. I have to tell you though, I looked on YouTube for “speech by drunken ex-girlfriend at London wedding,” and nothing showed up. For real though, it doesn’t matter where or when you did it. You were brave. I’ve been hoping this would happen ever since I met you. I always knew that wasn’t where you belonged, even if I never came out andtold you. I didn’t want you to be mad at me, and I think there are things people need to figure out and decide for themselves.
Your future’s not dark, Ginger. It’s immense. A big blank page in front of you. And you can write whatever you want there.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: You really think?
I had the feeling you wanted me to do it.
But are you serious? A blank page? I guess… The problem is, I don’t know what to write on it. I spend all day watching TV and eating crackers. I think I’ve got issues. That’s what Donna says.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: I really do
Look, Ginger, what do you want? Probably lots of things. Make a list: What you long for. What you dream of. Crazy things that go through your mind. Let yourself go for once. No limits.