Date: February 23
Subject: Itinerary
Hey, Skip.
My travel info and emergency numbers are attached.
If anything happens, you're my contact person. I hope that's okay. I talked to my mother this morning, and she's still distraught that I'm going to Africa. She offered a lot of uncomfortable and socially unacceptable commentary on that topic. If I'm trampled under an elephant, you'll be the first to know, and I apologize in advance for the crazy things my mother will say.
I'm told the internet access is limited and usually reserved for communicating with the central operation unit but email me anyway. Tell me everything you're doing, everywhere you're going, all the asses you're kicking.
I will miss you more than anything.
Nick
* * *
To: Nick Acevedo
From: Erin Walsh
Date: February 24
Subject: Of course I'm your person!
First: You're going to be awesome. You're going to be the best borderless doctor ever and I'm so freaking proud of you for doing this. I've been telling everyone about my husband, the surgeon who's going to Kenya. Thankfully, I hang with people who care about things like conflict-region healthcare, otherwise they'd be pretty tired of hearing about my Mexican Medicine Man.
Second: Getting off the grid is hard at first. It feels weird, but it will pass. Somewhat. It will be harder coming back to city life, actually. Everything will seem louder, faster, and bigger.
Third: I'm currently beating my schedule to death and bargaining with every grad student who wants some time in the field in Greenland. I don't know if it will work, but I'm trying.
Fourth: Please be careful. You have to come back to me. Watch out for those elephants, and also Ebola.
Fifth: You already know that I'll miss you, and that I hate those words because they are inadequate. I'll load up your inbox with every random thought that crosses my mind, and maybe even my thoughts on the papers I'm peer-reviewing right now. Spoiler alert: the Anthropocene is a big downer.
* * *
To: Erin Walsh
From: Nick Acevedo
Date: February 27
Subject: Watching out for elephants
Hey, Skip,
I made it to Nairobi, and I'll be heading out to the site later today. So far, so good.
Miss you, lovely. Don't get into trouble while I'm away.
Nick
* * *
To: Nick Acevedo
From: Erin Walsh
