Page 34 of Only After We Met
Who is Sarah? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about her.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: Intrigued
She’s a friend. Ish. You get it.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: Intrigued
I don’t know whether to be more offended by how quickly you’ve found a substitute to spend the days with in LA or bythe fact that you had a “special friend” and didn’t tell me. I’m kidding, but you could actually tell me about your life sometime.
Everything here’s fine. It’s pretty, the typical charming little town. My mother’s taken so many photos that we had to buy another card for her camera. My father spends the whole day making plans for all the things we’ll do in the office when we return to London. He’s excited. Enjoy yourself, Rhys.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Intrigued
You’re right, Ginger. I’ve been thinking about your message all day, but I couldn’t answer you until now, after Sarah’s fallen asleep. It’s true: you give me much more of yourself than I give to you, and it isn’t fair. I’m… I’m trying. I want you to know, despite everything, that right now, you’re the person who knows the most about me. If I’m honest with myself, I’d have to say you’re my best friend. And that’s after only—what, six months that we’ve known each other? Seven. Almost? Since the end of January… I feel like I’ve been talking to you for years. I don’t even know why. I guess these things happen: you just meet a person and let them in for no reason.
Okay, so Sarah is a “special friend.” We hang out sometimes in New York or Los Angeles. We have fun together, you know. She’s an actor; she does commercials. She’s nice; you’d like her. I met her one night years ago.
I don’t know what else to tell you…
I hope you’re well.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: That was nice
Okay, what you said about me being your best friend was nice. I don’t know how you get me to instantly go from being so pissed at you to wanting to hug you, Rhys. The truth is, you’re my best friend now too, I think. At least the person who knows the most about me. Sometimes I feel like I tell you absolutely everything, and that’s a little scary.
I’m glad you’re having fun with Sarah.
Did you meet her one night the same way you met me one night? I want details!
BTW, I start work tomorrow.
I’ll keep you informed. Kisses. (Why haven’t we ever signed off that way? “Kisses” or “Hugs” or “Take care”? Is it because we send so many messages it would start to sound fake? Like when you give someone a hug or a kiss on the cheek to say hi, but you don’t feel it.)
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: That was nice
I guess I just have that effect on women. My charm, you know.
No, I didn’t meet her one night like you, Ginger. I met her… I don’t know, it was different. I met her at a bar, we had drinks, and we ended up in a hotel. That’s what I mean when I say it was different.