Page 175 of Only After We Met
I’m exhausted. Yesterday, I started putting together a modelwith my father, the kind we used to do when I was a kid. You can’t imagine his endurance. He’ll stuff himself with painkillers if he needs to, to make it to the point where I’m so confused, I can’t tell the pieces apart. And then he laughs at me. This is now the second night he’s tortured me this way. My mother helps out, but after thirty minutes, she can’t hang anymore. We still have lots of work to do.
I’m glad you liked the song.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: You’re crazy
That’s so great, Rhys. You were right, your dad seems to be as proud and headstrong as you. Send me a photo of the model when you’re done. I don’t have much time to write today because James is coming to dinner, but I’ll write you tomorrow from the office.
BTW, I’m blowing up the album cover, and I’m going to frame it and hang it up. I don’t care if I look like a crazed fan.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: RE: You’re crazy
Does James come often for dinner? You never gave me the details about what happened with him. We barely had time for anything those three days in Ibiza.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Organization
We keep it flexible. I have custody because James is busy, and sometimes his cases drag on till late at night. Normally he takes the kid two weekends a month, but he often stops by my parents’ to pick him up on days when he finishes early. And then once in a while, he’ll come by for dinner or just to see him for a bit. He’s a good dad. And we get along.
We have an understanding, even if it wasn’t enough to make our relationship work. I told you, I think what we had in common was that desire to settle down, find stability, have children. But it was a mistake. I can’t regret it because now I have Leon. I’m looking up right now, and I see him curled in his cradle, hugging that stuffed elephant he never lets go. But when night fell and we finished dinner, James and I were sitting there on the sofa, and we just didn’t have much to say to each other.
We talked about how things were going at work, our plans for the kid, and that was it. You know something? If I hadn’t spent that summer with you, if I hadn’t learned exactly what it meant to be on the moon with someone, in love, I’d have probably thought that was normal, the same “normal” most couples have. But in my heart, I was painfully aware that there was more out there. And I hated you a little bit.
Just a little. Selfishly.
Sometimes I’d think,If Rhys had never crossed my path…maybe I could be happy with James.I know now that’s not true.But I think I was trying to deceive myself. We both were. He and I are happier now that we’re apart.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: Organization
Maybe it doesn’t count for much now, but let me say this: I’m glad I crossed your path. And that you crossed mine.
We’re still working on the model.
We should be done soon.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Routine
What a day. I was arguing with this unbearable author, the parking meter took my money, Leon threw up on me on the way home, and I left my groceries at Donna and Kate’s place. Sometimes I forget what my life was like when I didn’t have so much to do. How could I get so freaked out back then over a couple of stupid tests?
I hope your day’s been better than mine.