Yeah, for an employer, she was one of the great ones.
* * * *
One morning, I was having my incredibly early breakfast while the boat was docked in…somewhere. I didn’t even care. It was pretty outside; there was a lagoon of some sort Elise wanted to go today, and I was to pack a lunch for her, Halley, and the few friends that had joined us the previous day.
I checked my email as I shoveled scrambled eggs into my mouth.
There was a new one from Lake White.
Frowning, I opened it.
Hello, Mr. Cook,
I’m Lake White. I’m Ruth’s nephew, as you probably know already.
I tried calling you, but Sierra said you might not have service, so I’m emailing you as well.
We’re having a bit of a situation here with Theo. It seems like he’s fallen into some sort of a depressive episode—don’t worry, Sierra and Hudson explained things to me—and we’re trying to figure out some things to make things easier for him.
We figured that making sure he eats is a given, so I wanted to ask you what his favorite foods might be. Do you have any suggestions?
The episode itself mostly came from grief he hasn’t processed yet, which I’m sure you can understand. Then there’s also the fact that Ruth’s agent wants me to finish her manuscript, and Theo didn’t take that well. Although, I guess it’s more about him using it as a catalyst to blow up a little, which I’m sure started him on the road to healing, even if it’s through a depressive episode.
I can’t believe I’m actually typing all that to you, if I’m honest. But he’s your friend and mine now too, and I thought you’d like to know.
Anyway, thank you for any help you might be able to give!
Lake
I frowned. Having known Theo for years, I could picture his state of mind pretty clearly. He was someone who didn’t exactly bottle up any emotions, but he could sometimes ignore them until he felt better about dealing with them.
This Lake fellow was clearly shrewd enough to be able to read him already. Sierra had hinted that Lake and Theo had some chemistry, which was nice too. Unless it caused trouble, of course.
Sighing, I thought for a while, then emailed him back.
Hey, Lake,
Nice to hear from you. I’ve been wondering how things are going there without Ruth, and it’s good to learn that at least “the new guy” cares, you know.
As far as Theo’s favorite foods, he loves carrot cake and pretty much anything chicken. I’ll send you some recipes you can try.
It’s a good idea that you want to cook for him if he’s feeling low. That man can eat, and if he’s not eating, then you can definitely tell something’s wrong.
From the years I’ve known him, my only actual advice is to do small things to show you care and give him time and space otherwise.
Grief is weird. Everyone feels it differently and every loss is different, too.
I should be coming back to at least visit mid-July. I have another potential job lined up from the beginning of September, but that might change.
If there’s anything I can help with long distance, let me know.
J. Cook
I dug out some of my favorite chicken recipes and my best carrot cake one and attached them to the email.
Being so far from home felt weird whenever something went wrong back there. This time though, things would be fine, given time. I hoped.
* * * *
