suffering, which left her uneasy. She couldn’t pinpoint where exactly the feeling was coming from, but she knew it had a lot to do with how her emotions behaved around Taylor: the calmness and safety she felt around him, the comfortableness in joking and teasing, the excitement when she saw his email in her inbox—all of that was so unlike her that, whenever she was around him or heard from him, it was hard to recognize the controlled person she’d made herself become.
On Sunday afternoon, during a phone call with Charlotte, Emily shared those thoughts with her sister, who knew that conversation was bound to happen from the first time Emily had mentioned Taylor’s name. For that reason, she already had her answer ready.
“Emmy, these are all good things. Being in control all the time isn’t good. Makes you kind of crazy,” she stated with her characteristic mixture of playfulness and seriousness. “You should relax and enjoy being young, hanging out with your friends, laughing . . . isn’t that why you crossed the country? To be free from those demons?”
“Yeah, but losing control worked wonderfully for me the last time,” Emily said.
“Of course it did, smartpants. Aren’t you happy having Zack and Jody in your life?” Charlotte received a mumbled “yes” for an answer before continuing. “You’ve both established that neither of you date, so stop with the ridiculous fears. If you like being his friend, than be his friend. Stop fighting happiness Emmy, your life has been tough enough. Now’s the time to enjoy the good shit that comes along.”
As always, Charlotte was right.
On Monday morning Emily checked her inbox and found a new email from Taylor. With her new “enjoy the good shit” mentality, she didn’t fight the happiness she felt when reading it.
Ems,
I’m back. Just wanted to let you know I’m safe and at home and, now I’m gonna crash. Jetlag is a heartless bitch.
Tay
Before starting on her day’s work, Emily typed a quick reply to her new friend, welcoming him back home and wishing him a great day.
During that week the email exchange continued. Being in the same time zone helped the communication greatly, making their email conversation feel almost like instant messaging. They talked about everything. Taylor gave her updates on his work and on the fun the family continued to have in The Big Apple. Emily sent him news on books she’d been reading, her friends and general New Haven stuff.
By the time his family went back to their respective homes and Emily saw Penelope again during the book club meeting that Thursday, they felt like longtime friends.
Tay,
How can Gabe fight with Poppy? She’s the sweetest. After the book club today we talked a little and she ended up tagging along my trip to my mani pedi appointment, and then to my hairdresser. She even convinced me to cut bangs.
How’s the skinny Kim-bitch? Is she easing up on you?
Ems
Ems,
Poppy is sweet with you because you’re not an annoying middle brother. Gabe fights with her because he’s Gabe. She called me after the salon to retract the threats she made me the day we met; apparently us being friends ended up working for her.
Skinny Kim-bitch continues to be a bitch and working with her is proving to be a challenge. Not only is she a pain in my ass, but she’s also hell bent on dating me. Something I have no interest in doing, for many reasons, one of them being that she keeps acting like a whore. You’re a woman; can you please explain to me what’s wrong with your kind nowadays?
Tay
Tay,
I wish I could, I see the same thing happening with the young girls around campus. It’s like all their self-esteem is gone, which is just sad.
Are you coming to NH this weekend?
Ems
Ems,
You bet! Looking forward to see the new bangs and you . . . Mostly you, though.
Tay
O N F RIDAY morning, when Zack entered Emily’s apartment for breakfast, he was prepared to pry her out of bed and endure the nasty
On Sunday afternoon, during a phone call with Charlotte, Emily shared those thoughts with her sister, who knew that conversation was bound to happen from the first time Emily had mentioned Taylor’s name. For that reason, she already had her answer ready.
“Emmy, these are all good things. Being in control all the time isn’t good. Makes you kind of crazy,” she stated with her characteristic mixture of playfulness and seriousness. “You should relax and enjoy being young, hanging out with your friends, laughing . . . isn’t that why you crossed the country? To be free from those demons?”
“Yeah, but losing control worked wonderfully for me the last time,” Emily said.
“Of course it did, smartpants. Aren’t you happy having Zack and Jody in your life?” Charlotte received a mumbled “yes” for an answer before continuing. “You’ve both established that neither of you date, so stop with the ridiculous fears. If you like being his friend, than be his friend. Stop fighting happiness Emmy, your life has been tough enough. Now’s the time to enjoy the good shit that comes along.”
As always, Charlotte was right.
On Monday morning Emily checked her inbox and found a new email from Taylor. With her new “enjoy the good shit” mentality, she didn’t fight the happiness she felt when reading it.
Ems,
I’m back. Just wanted to let you know I’m safe and at home and, now I’m gonna crash. Jetlag is a heartless bitch.
Tay
Before starting on her day’s work, Emily typed a quick reply to her new friend, welcoming him back home and wishing him a great day.
During that week the email exchange continued. Being in the same time zone helped the communication greatly, making their email conversation feel almost like instant messaging. They talked about everything. Taylor gave her updates on his work and on the fun the family continued to have in The Big Apple. Emily sent him news on books she’d been reading, her friends and general New Haven stuff.
By the time his family went back to their respective homes and Emily saw Penelope again during the book club meeting that Thursday, they felt like longtime friends.
Tay,
How can Gabe fight with Poppy? She’s the sweetest. After the book club today we talked a little and she ended up tagging along my trip to my mani pedi appointment, and then to my hairdresser. She even convinced me to cut bangs.
How’s the skinny Kim-bitch? Is she easing up on you?
Ems
Ems,
Poppy is sweet with you because you’re not an annoying middle brother. Gabe fights with her because he’s Gabe. She called me after the salon to retract the threats she made me the day we met; apparently us being friends ended up working for her.
Skinny Kim-bitch continues to be a bitch and working with her is proving to be a challenge. Not only is she a pain in my ass, but she’s also hell bent on dating me. Something I have no interest in doing, for many reasons, one of them being that she keeps acting like a whore. You’re a woman; can you please explain to me what’s wrong with your kind nowadays?
Tay
Tay,
I wish I could, I see the same thing happening with the young girls around campus. It’s like all their self-esteem is gone, which is just sad.
Are you coming to NH this weekend?
Ems
Ems,
You bet! Looking forward to see the new bangs and you . . . Mostly you, though.
Tay
O N F RIDAY morning, when Zack entered Emily’s apartment for breakfast, he was prepared to pry her out of bed and endure the nasty
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