Page 149 of Only After We Met

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: I don’t get it

You’re going to live with him? Well then…

I guess I should congratulate you? I’m happy for you, Ginger. It seems like you’re accomplishing everything you set out to doyears ago. I don’t understand the rush though. On your part or on James’s. But whatever. Good. Great. Everything’s great.

Enjoy your weekend in the country.

And give my best to James’s grandmother.

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: I don’t get it

Are you back from your little adventure? How was the family gathering? I haven’t heard from you in a week. Here everything’s the same old same old, nothing really to tell.

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: I like the country

It was amazing. James’s family is so charming! Every single one of them: his sister, his cousins, his parents, his grandmother… I don’t know, they just made me feel at home. And I forgot how relaxing it was to spend some time outside the city. I think I want something like that in the future: a house somewhere calm where I can go for vacation. And do nothing, just watch the hours pass, sleep after each meal, read under an apple tree in the shade…

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: Reflections

Aren’t you awful young to be wishing for that?

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: RE: Reflections

Aren’t you a little old to be living the life you’re leading?

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: RE: RE: Reflections

What’s that supposed to mean?

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: RE: RE: RE: Reflections

You know perfectly well, Rhys. You need to hit the brakes sometime, and that’s about more than your age. It makes you angry to hear this, but I get the feeling you’re not exactly doing great, that you’re not yourself, and that worries me. Seeing you so cynical. Almost like someone else.