Page 70 of Only After We Met
CONFESS.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: RE: I’m going to kill you!
It’s not that big a deal, Ginger. It’s just a birthday. I didn’t even think about it. But if you’re so interested, it’s August 13. I don’t like celebrating it though.
So today’s our friendiversary. (I’ll try not to repeat that outside this email to keep my pride intact.) So tonight, one year ago, you and I were walking through the streets of Paris. And dancing to“Je T’aime…Moi Non Plus.”And eating cup noodles. And looking at that moon you sometimes avoid…
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: You’re the worst
I know your tactics, Rhys. You get (me) all sentimental to try to make me forget about your birthday, when we both know it was an out-and-out betrayal. We’re going to celebrate our friendiversary. (It’s a cool expression; I don’t know what you’re so embarrassed about. I want to throw open the windows and scream it to the world.) You visit me for my birthday, and I don’t even get to visit you for yours?!
Give me your address. I’ll send you a present.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: I’m the best
You’re the funniest girl I know. Did I ever tell you that? Seriously, I can’t read your messages without smiling, and I don’t mind admitting smiling isn’t my thing. But you’re blowing everything out of proportion. I just don’t like getting older. I already told you my favorite story when I was little wasPeter Pan. And thinking about what I’ll be doing in ten years—screw that. Same for presents. Presents get on my damn nerves. Not the way you do—I like that—but in the bad way. So, Ginger Snap, let’s forget all this and stick with the original thing: I’m twenty-seven, got it?
Would you really have visited me anyway? We both know the answer’s no. I was in LA, and I remember you turned me down when I extended an invite.
PS: I love you getting sentimental over me.
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: You’re not the best
Rhys, let’s be serious. You invited me to visit one night when you were drunk, and I barely had time to respond before you had a so-called friend named Sarah at your place. She and I probably would have walked past each other through the front door. I don’t know if you realize that.
From: Rhys Baker
To: Ginger Davies
Subject: I sure am
Do I notice a bit of anger?
From: Ginger Davies
To: Rhys Baker
Subject: Come down to earth
No, Rhys, I’m not angry. I just wanted to say that what you offered me was anything but an invitation. This whole thing is because of you not telling me about your birthday. And your fear of getting old. Give me your address, and let’s stop worrying about it.
BTW, I started my project. I like it so much, I was up late mapping it out. I thought about interviewing the heads of some small publishers in town and maybe even including that as an appendix. Obviously my focus would be on the business side.