Was this what I wanted? I wasn’t even writing anymore, just slashing my virtual red pen across the writing of others. My current reality seemed like a pale comparison to my old dreams.
Shoving my dissatisfaction to the back of my mind, I forged ahead with my routine. It was definitely a hail-a-cab kind of evening, and the salad bar around the corner was calling to me. They had the best tuna salad in New York.
But my hands had a mind of their own and didn’t power Lucy down. Instead, I pulled up my spam folder.
Needing to busy my hands while it loaded, I twisted my hair as best I could. It was half ponytail, half messy bun, and mostly falling out of the elastic band since my hair was shorter now.
My fingers worked over my mouse, hurriedly deleting all the sales pitches and requests for money to be sent to foreign lands, and then they began typing.
FROM:[emailprotected]
TO:[emailprotected]
SUBJECT: Re: Apology
Layton –
Thank you so much for your kind words. But seriously, there was no need.We were just neighbors on a flight, and you don’t owe me anything.
Oh God. I’m hitting backspace more than actually writing.
We were airline companions, both under deadlines. I enjoyed your company while we chatted, and I wish you luck in your endeavors.
I hope the movie does awesome! Of course,I am going to try to snag a ticket to the premiere now that I met youI am going to definitely see it when it comes out and will look for your name in the credits.
Be well, and one of these days, I hope to visit LA.and will e-mail you.
Thanks again for your condolences.
Best wishes,
Charli
I hitSENDbefore I second-guessed what I was doing, smacked Lucy closed with gusto, and decided to order Chinese.
I was no longer in the mood to be good and eat a salad. Instead I was disgusted with myself for chasing after someone, for making a fool of myself with a man who shouldn’t matter, and I wanted to sulk in pan-fried noodles.
As I made my way out of my office, my stiletto boots beating quietly on the carpet, I saw a note taped on my assistant’s desk.
Charli –
I knew you were busy with Maggie and I didn’t want to interrupt, but this arrived for you at the end of the day.
—Cecilia
Next to the handwritten Post-it note was an enormous bouquet of flowers arranged in an oversized champagne flute.
A second handwritten note was stuck inside the pink-and-purple potpourri of wildflowers. Not trite roses or friendly carnations, something way better and unique. In the wild, they’d be considered weeds, but here in this elegant arrangement, they were groomed and gorgeous.
Charli-
Making sure you got my e-mail.
Apologies again.
Hope you’re popping bubbles ... or whatever it is you do at work. Dotting i’s and crossing t’s, I guess.
—Layton
