Nick
*Tell me the research is going well and you see a break in the horizon.
**You've been sensational in the shower recently. Have I been meeting your expectations?
* * *
To: Nick Acevedo
From: Erin Walsh
Date: November 5
Subject: Long horizon
Hey, Dr. Good Hair,
I got an email from Matt on the exact same topic two hours ago.
Riley's texted me about Shannon a few times, too. She'd been seeing Will—Lauren's brother, the one in the underwear, after the wedding—and it's his theory that things ended. Badly. Riley also said it endedmonthsago, and she's taking it really hard. I texted my babysitter, Wes, but he said Will's been "down range" for a mission and doesn't have any other information.
I'm not sure what you'd like me to say to Shannon, or how you'd like me to explain my knowledge of all these issues. We know that we talk about each other all the time, but there's a difference between carrying on back room conversations about your siblings and then telling the sibling in question that you've heard their tales of woe from multiple sources.
I'm also not sure that I can say anything of substance or comfort. She obviously didn't interpret the rocks I sent last month as an opening, and I have to respect her wishes.
Further, I've never really experienced a breakup, and the last thing I said to my sister was that she ruined my life and I hoped she died, so calling her up to say "Hey, sorry it didn't work out with that guy" is probably a whole lot of salt in the wound.
Before you tell me that salt creates an antibacterial environment and is actually beneficial for healing, let me clarify that I'm referring to the discomfort one experiences when salting a wound. If Shannon's in a bad place right now, I'll only make that place worse.
I'm not saying never…I'm just saying not right now.
*Research is on track. Maybe even ahead of schedule, and that's good. Dumping a terabyte of data into position papers is pretty fun, and I should have many new findings soon. If things work out, I might be able to take an entire week later this month, right around Thanksgiving… How's that? Maybe I could fly to Boston? Maybe we even see my family. Like, you know, together. Me, you, us. Is that crazy? It's crazy. It's completely crazy.
**You've been outstanding. Exceptional, even. And tireless.
* * *
To: Erin Walsh
From: Nick Acevedo
Date: November 6
Subject: not that long
Skip…
Yes. Come here. Stay with me. It's not crazy, not at all. We'll do whatever you want, lovely.
Also, we need to chat this week, because I need to know how you find a terabyte of data "fun" and I want to see your face while I say dirty things to you.
*You're damn right I'm tireless.
**You're like Jason Bourne the way you evade.
* * *
To: Nick Acevedo
