on. He was all What is with you, weirdo? So he just pulled over and kept breathing all deep and asking me what happened. I told him you gave me this sad book. I told him how much it made me miss Mom. And then he cried when we got home, at least I think he did. He’s always so quiet so I’m never sure.
I hate being sad in front of him because it’s like he has this giant vault of sadness already and then he has to lock that all up just to take care of me. And when I think about it, I still have him, but he lost his whole world. Mom was the person he chose out of everyone and she’s gone. I don’t know. I think he doesn’t like to see me cry. But it was good to talk about her. I’m scared I’ll forget her. I miss her so much I need a new language for it.
There I go again. Anyway, did you finish Ivanhoed? That book was ginormous I would be asleep in about five minutes. I read the first page when you went to the bathroom and was all what? I understood about a millionth of it. What’s it even about?
Anyway, school tomorrow. Thanks again for the book. And for just letting me talk about it I guess.
xo
Macy
PS No one here understands that I just want to be another girl at school not the kid whose mom died and who needs to be treated like she can break. Thanks for just saying stuff and not acting like it’s all taboo.
* * *
From: Elliot P.
Date: January 2, 07:02 AM
To: Macy Lea Sorensen
Subject: re: book
Hi Macy,
You’re welcome for the book. It made me cry the first time I read it, too. I know I didn’t tell you that, but I guess I should have.
I’m sure your dad figured out why you were crying. Also, I think it probably makes your dad happy that you’re crying about it even if he’s sad that you’re sad. But I hope he’s not mad at me for making you cry. I mean it was the book . . . I wouldn’t want to make you cry because of me.
I don’t think you’re weird or different because your mom died. I think you’re actually pretty cool, but it has nothing to do with whether or not you have a mom. You’re cool because you’re you. As an aside: you’re handling it pretty well as far as I can tell.
Ivanhoe (no d) is pretty good. It’s set in the 12th century after the Third Crusade. (Some of the current idea of Robin Hood is based on a character, Locksley. But he’s not the main character.) I like the action and the style. I used to role-play a little with my friend Brandon in seventh grade so I guess that’s where the interest in 12th century England came in. If you’re still into Nicholas Sparks you probably won’t like Ivanhoe.
See you,
Elliot
PS I didn’t mean that to sound condescending. Dad told me I can be like that and so I’m not sure if that was. I’m sure Nicholas Sparks is really good, just different than Sir Walter Scott.
* * *
From: Macy Lea Sorensen
Date: January 2, 8:32 PM
To: Elliot P.
Subject: re: book
Hi Elliot,
Nicholas Sparks is really really good. My friend Elena’s mom met him at a book conference and said he was super nice and way smart, too. I bet he’s read Ivanhoe (no d).
What do you mean you and Brandon role-played? Like the dork guys at the park with swords and flags?
xo
Macy
* * *
From: Elliot P.
Date: January 2, 08:54 PM
To: Macy Lea Sorensen
Subject: re: book
Hi Macy,
Yes. Exactly like that. And also helmets and cardboard horses.
Elliot
* * *
From: Macy Lea Sorensen
Date: January 2, 9:06 PM
To: Elliot P.
Subject: re: book
I swear you make me laugh so hard. I know you’re kidding but I can totally picture you on a cardboard horse all “On guard!” and “Ivanhoe!”
Macy
* * *
From: Elliot P.
Date: January 2, 09:15 PM
To: Macy Lea Sorensen
Subject: re: book
I was serious. We really did role-play like that. It’s actually a very well organized community called The Nobles and there are battles and royalty and it’s really fun. But I’m sure you wouldn’t like it because there’s no soft focus kiss at the end.