Page 41 of Only After We Met
Kisses. Waiting for signs of life.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Signs of life
Sorry for being a little absent; things have been complicated these days. Yeah, I hate the expressionadult life. It should just belife, nothing else. My favorite story used to bePeter Pan, so don’t pay me any mind.
You know it’s been a while since I’ve been home, but the last time I was there, my room was just your typical teenage guy’s bedroom. There were fewer posters and less junk, but the shelves were still full of models I used to make with my dad, and a baseball signed by one of my favorite players was on thedesk and… I don’t know, I can’t remember anything else. Books, photos, stuff.
I’ve been thinking about the thing with Dean for a while now… I think I get it. How the setting made it feel different. What did he say to you?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: Signs of life
I won’t go into my conversation with Dean until you tell me what’s up with you. You seem…glummer than usual? If that’s possible. Come on, Rhys, you can trust me. I’m a good listener (reader).
Kisses (for real).
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: RE: Signs of life
That’s the problem, I don’t know what’s up with me. This has been a weird summer. I’ve had fun, I’ve had sex, I’ve laughed, I’ve hung out on the beach, I’ve written songs, I’ve spent time with friends, but at the same time… I don’t know, I have this feeling I’m looking for something and it’s not there. And maybe…maybe it just doesn’t exist.
I like your kisses (for real).
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Signs of life
I get it, Rhys. I think we all feel that way sometimes, even if we don’t all look foritas intensely as you. But we are all aspiring for thatsomething more, right? Has it occurred to you that maybe you’re looking for what they call happiness? Also, some people are able to just accept their surroundings, and some aren’t. I don’t know. Maybe it’s sad, but that’s just how it is…
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: Life
I don’t like to think about you just accepting things, Ginger.
Especially not if you think it’s fucking sad.
I know you think you need to, but you don’t have to hold on to a nine-to-five, buy a car, get a mortgage, get married, have a honeymoon in the Caribbean. Don’t get me wrong. All that’s perfect if you’re into it, but you can’t see it as an obligation or something that’s written in stone.
You can be whatever you want, Ginger.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker