Ding.
Livy. Not sure why she would be texting me. Maybe Mrs. Eisenberg has received the all-clear from her doctors to consider a trip to Scottsdale, and Livy knows I will do everything I possibly can to assist. By any account, Livy is an easier Eisenberg to warm up with.Wait.I stop myself from swiping. I can’t imagine Ash would resort to having Livy do his bidding since I have refused to respond to him on my own. Not possible. Livy loved the concept behind Brown Butter, Baby! and claimed her cousin was a complete buffoon the entire ride home from the airport while her grandmother sat silent in the passenger seat. I understood. Mrs. Eisenberg couldn’t and wouldn’t speak ill of her adored grandson, but while Livy freely railed on Ash, I detected Mrs. Eisenberg’s subtle nods in agreement.
8:42 a.m. (Livy)
Ash has been trying to get ahold of you this morning, but he’s having difficulty. I am so sorry to be the one to tell you this, but our grandmother passed away in her sleep last night. I guess it’s kind of fitting she died on Labor Day, the original working girl. She had eighty-eight wonderful years on this earth, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
Oh no. Oh No. OH NO!I move to Ash’s texts, starting with the most recent one from this morning, and read backward.
8:35 a.m. (Ash)
I want to let you know she loved you, Antonia. I guess this is goodbye for both of us.
8:08 a.m. (Ash)
She’s gone. She’s really gone. The person who understood me most in this world is gone.
7:52 a.m. (Ash)
I just tried to call you, but you didn’t answer. My grandmother passed away in her sleep last night. I thought you would want to know, and I wanted to be the one to tell you.
7:48 a.m. (Ash)
Please, Antonia. It’s clear you’re angry with me but you need to pick up the phone. Now.
Yesterday 9:01 p.m. (Ash)
Thinking of Lou and Coco on their first day of high school. I wish them the best.
Sunday 4:14 p.m. (Ash)
My grandmother has advised me to give you space. I hope in time you will let me explain.
Saturday, 11:06 a.m. (Ash)
I know I wasn’t the only one who thought Wednesday night was special. You wouldn’t have forfeited sleep the night before the show if you didn’t see me as important to your future as Innovation Nation. Come on, Antonia, tell me I’m not crazy and I’ll leave you alone.
Saturday 7:14 a.m. (Ash)
I’m headed to the Cracked Cup for coffee. Please meet me there.
Friday 8:19 p.m. (Ash)
I flew home this afternoon and had dinner with my grandmother. She laid into me for leading you on in more ways than one, but I swear, that’s not what I was doing. You are as smart as you are beautiful. I thought I was doing the right thing on the show.
Friday 11:56 a.m. (Ash)
I don’t understand why the other judges didn’t invest in Brown Butter, Baby! I was sure they would. You have to know I think it’s a brilliant concept, otherwise I would have never vouched for you to be on the show.
Friday 5:58 a.m. (Ash)
That’s the second night in a row of no sleep. Wednesday night was one of the best nights of my life. Last night, one of the worst. Have you been getting my texts and voice mails?
Thursday 9:02 p.m. (Ash)
You have to know I couldn’t invest in Brown Butter, Baby!. Contractually I’m not even supposed to talk to participants on the show prior to filming, but I lost all judgment when I saw you in that sundress.
Thursday 5:06 p.m. (Ash)
