Page 155 of Only After We Met

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: Even if you don’t read this

What are you doing right now, Ginger?

Without you, our friendiversary’s not too thrilling.

Even the word’s not as funny as it used to be.

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: Even if you don’t read this

I’m going to tell you a secret. You were right. I hurt people every time I feel attacked, every time something hurts me. It’s the only way I know how to react. It’s like something pokes me and I leap up in a blind fury. I’m selfish. Proud. Too proud. Not with you, with you I learned to say sorry, because I was so scared of losing you.

But it didn’t matter in the end. I suppose just repeating “I’m sorry” over and over can’t change things. A mistake is still a mistake.

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: Even if you don’t read this

My father’s dying.

94

Rhys

I moved heaven and earth to get that number. I dialed it and walked back and forth in the living room of my home in Ibiza, staring at the sea. The morning sun glowed through the windows and reflected off the water of the pool in the garden. The place was idyllic, perfect, but never in my life had I felt so alone, even surrounded by all those people: new friends who idolized me, girls I didn’t even have to try with, hangers-on who didn’t know me…

I turned back around when I heard someone pick up.

“Yeah?” a hoarse voice said.

“Axel Nguyen?” I asked.

“Yeah. Who am I speaking with?”

“Rhys Baker. I don’t know if you remember me. I was living in Byron Bay a few years ago, and you did the illustration for a single that…”

“I know who you are. Long time, no hear.”

“I need to talk to you about a couple of things.”

“It’s a good time. Shoot.”

“The first thing’s a proposal; the second’s a favor.” I bit mythumb, uncertain, knowing what I had in mind was crazy.

He giggled. “A proposal sounds better than a favor. Let’s start with that.”

“I’ve got another album coming out soon. I don’t know if you know, but things have gone well for me since my single came out. Very well, in fact. I’ve been talking with the producer, and we want you to do the cover. I have something pretty clear in mind. I can pay. Just name your price if you’re up for it.”

“Sounds promising. What’s the favor?”