“Oh my. Then, yes, my Gracie. You call him back now. You go. You get under him. I pack this food for you.”
I shake my head as Mrs. A takes the half-eaten meal away from me and spoons it into an empty Tupperware container. She wraps the container in three rubber bands, places it in a plastic grocery bag, and hands it to me. I stand and give her a hug. She smells like heavy perfume mixed with fryer oil.
“Remember, Gracie. The first pancake is always lumpy.”
“Um, thanks,” I reply.
“Is mean, you keep trying. The right one will come.”
“Thanks, Mrs. A. And thank you for the food. You’re the best,” I say. I mean it too. She’s right, after all. The first pancakeisalways lumpy. And I should know. Pancakes are one of my top three fave breakfast foods.
TO:Grace Landing ([email protected])
FROM:Colin Yarmouth ([email protected])
RE:Be nice!
Hi,
Okay—I read the pages you sent. I have SO much to say, lol—it would take me hours to write it all down. Are you free to talk on the phone tonight instead?
Let me know,
Colin
P.S. Do you prefer to be called Grace or Gracie?
TO:Colin Yarmouth ([email protected])
FROM:Grace Landing ([email protected])
RE:Be nice!
Ugh—now you’ve got me all nervous! I hope you didn’t totally hate it.
Yes, of course I can talk on the phone tonight. What time were you thinking?
My friends and family call me Gracie. Now that you’ve basically seen me naked (which is what reading a first draft of a writer’s work is akin to), I guess you should call me Gracie too.
Let me know about the phone call.
Thanks,
Gracie
TO:Grace Landing ([email protected])
FROM:Colin Yarmouth ([email protected])
RE:Be nice!
No, I definitely didn’t hate it! I’m sorry, I’m not trying to make you nervous. Just have a Zoom call at 3pm so I’m a little pressed for time.
As for tonight—how is 7:30? I should be finished eating dinner by then.
And I’m going to leave that comment about seeing you naked alone—for now. ;)
Colin
