“You’d be fine if his parents died,” she begins slowly, “and he didn’t at least try to get in touch with you?”
Miss Dina’s warm eyes and soft face with deep dimples flicker through my thoughts, sending a spike of pain through me. “I know, I see your point.”
Sabrina’s silent again; I hate having this conversation over the phone. I want the reassuring presence of her on the couch next to me.
“I’m not sure Elliot and I could just be friends.”
She huffs out a breath. “I think it’s worth a try.”
Would I even be able to stay away? If I’m honest, wasn’t part of the appeal of moving back here to be closer to what he and I once had, somehow?
“You really think it’s a good idea for me to reconnect with him?” I ask.
“I’ve always thought that.”
“How?” I hear how small my voice seems and pull out my keys, propping my phone between my ear and shoulder when I drop them to the dark porch. “We had breakfast and I bolted. I don’t have his number or address. No way does he have Facebook or Twitter or anything. Normal modes of stalking are out.”
I can hear Sabrina’s pensive hum as I search blindly for my house key. “You’ll think of something.”
then
fourteen years ago
From: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Date: January 1, 11:00 PM
To: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Subject: book
Hi Elliot,
Thanks again for Bridge to Terabithia and sorry for getting snot all over your shirt when I was trying to talk about it. Maybe now on the computer I can explain what I was trying to say.
I get why you gave me this book, and I just want you to know how thoughtful it was. I keep thinking about the first day I saw you in the closet, and how it’s sort of how Jesse hated Leslie for beating him in a race. I didn’t hate you, but I wasn’t sure I liked you, either. I guess it doesn’t matter because now it feels like you’re the person who understands me the best. Jesse and Leslie made up Terabithia as their sanctuary and when she died he brought May Belle there to be the new princess. Mom created this world of books with me, but without her I can bring you to the closet to share them instead.
I read it again on the drive home and started crying all over again and I thought my dad was going to totally lose it. He probably had no idea what was going on. He was all What is with you, weirdo? So he just pulled over and kept breathing all deep and asking me what happened. I told him you gave me this sad book. I told him how much it made me miss Mom. And then he cried when we got home, at least I think he did. He’s always so quiet so I’m never sure.
I hate being sad in front of him because it’s like he has this giant vault of sadness already and then he has to lock that all up just to take care of me. And when I think about it, I still have him, but he lost his whole world. Mom was the person he chose out of everyone and she’s gone. I don’t know. I think he doesn’t like to see me cry. But it was good to talk about her. I’m scared I’ll forget her. I miss her so much I need a new language for it.
There I go again. Anyway, did you finish Ivanhoed? That book was ginormous I would be asleep in about five minutes. I read the first page when you went to the bathroom and was all what? I understood about a millionth of it. What’s it even about?
Anyway, school tomorrow. Thanks again for the book. And for just letting me talk about it I guess.
xo
Macy
PS No one here understands that I just want to be another girl at school not the kid whose mom died and who needs to be treated like she can break. Thanks for just saying stuff and not acting like it’s all taboo.
From: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Date: January 2, 07:02 AM
To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Subject: re: book
Hi Macy,
You’re welcome for the book. It made me cry the first time I read it, too. I know I didn’t tell you that, but I guess I should have.
I’m sure your dad figured out why you were crying. Also, I think it probably makes your dad happy that you’re crying about it even if he’s sad that you’re sad. But I hope he’s not mad at me for making you cry. I mean it was the book… I wouldn’t want to make you cry because of me.
I don’t think you’re weird or different because your mom died. I think you’re actually pretty cool, but it has nothing to do with whether or not you have a mom. You’re cool because you’re you. As an aside: you’re handling it pretty well as far as I can tell.
Ivanhoe (no d) is pretty good. It’s set in the 12th century after the Third Crusade. (Some of the current idea of Robin Hood is based on a character, Locksley. But he’s not the main character.) I like the action and the style. I used to role-play a little with my friend Brandon in seventh grade so I guess that’s where the interest in 12th century England came in. If you’re still into Nicholas Sparks you probably won’t like Ivanhoe.
See you,
Elliot
PS I didn’t mean that to sound condescending. Dad told me I can be like that and so I’m not sure if that was. I’m sure Nicholas Sparks is really good, just different than Sir Walter Scott.
From: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Date: January 2, 8:32 PM
To: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Subject: re: book
Hi Elliot,
Nicholas Sparks is really really good. My friend Elena’s mom met him at a book conference and said he was super nice and way smart, too. I bet he’s read Ivanhoe (no d).
What do you mean you and Brandon role-played? Like the dork guys at the park with swords and flags?
xo
Macy
From: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Date: January 2, 08:54 PM
To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Subject: re: book
Hi Macy,
Yes. Exactly like that. And also helmets and cardboard horses.
Elliot
From: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Date: January 2, 9:06 PM
To: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Subject: re: book
I swear you make me laugh so hard. I know you’re kidding but I can totally picture you on a cardboard horse all “On guard!” and “Ivanhoe!”
Macy
From: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Date: January 2, 09:15 PM
To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Subject: re: book
I was serious. We really did role-play like that. It’s actually a very well organized community called The Nobles and there are battles and royalty and it’s really fun. But I’m sure you wouldn’t like it because there’s no soft focus kiss at the end.
Elliot
From: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Date: January 3, 6:53 PM
To: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Subject: Crazy!
Hi Elliot,
I’m pretty sure that was you being condescending last night, so here is me being mature and ignoring it.
Want to hear something crazy? My friend Nikki got suspended for making out with a guy in the cafeteria today! I was all oh my god what is happening? I told Dad and he asked if I had kissed any boys and I was all no way! Who would I kiss at school they’re all losers!
Anyway that was crazy!
Macy
From: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Date: January 3, 08:27 PM
To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Subject: re: Crazy!
My friend Christian got suspended last year for building a rocket in shop. I’m not even sure where he got the fuel but it totally flew through the window and hit a car in the parking lot. It was awesome.
So you don’t hang out with guys at your school?
Elliot
From: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]>
Date: January 4, 7:32 AM
To: Elliot P. <[email protected]>
Subject: re: Crazy!
I do Doug and Cody have been in school with me since first grade so we are sorta close but kissing close? Uh no they’re nice but I think I’ll probably meet a college guy at some point because the guys at my school are all into video games and skateboards and Danny (another friend) totally tried to touch my butt once at a dance but I was all I don’t think so.