and said, “I guess the upside of everyone leaving early is that we get to have pie for breakfast,” he did not laugh, or even glance up at her.
Elisabeth’s eyes landed on the empty French press on the counter, and she knew the anger he felt had not passed. Of course it hadn’t.
It was the first morning since they moved here that Andrew hadn’t made her coffee. She thought this was the equivalent of another man slapping her across the face.
Another first, then: for once, Elisabeth wished they could be more like her parents had been when she was young. That they could scream and throw things and make vicious accusations and come right up to the edge of disaster, but then turn back.
The cold shoulder, the unknown, felt worse than anything he might say.
13
December 26
1:04 PM
Dear Sam,
Merry Christmas, a day late. Did your mother love the painting? I keep imagining her unwrapping it and bursting into tears. I ran into a professor of yours at a party last week (Christopher…something). We were both going on and on about how talented you are.
Hope your family had a great holiday. Ours was a shit show. But after everyone left last night, I finally opened your present for Gil. It was the perfect thing. xx E
P.S. You did NOT have to get that bottle of wine for Andrew and me. You’re too sweet. It definitely came in handy last night…
December 26
7:49 PM
Hello from Logan Airport!
So sorry to hear about your Christmas. What happened???
Yes, my mom loved the painting. Yes, she cried. Ha ha. I think you must mean Christopher Gillis, and I’m shocked he said nice things about me (or even knows who I am!). I’ve had him in class twice, but he never seemed to notice me. He has a reputation for being kind of a creep. There are always rumors about him and some student.
I’m glad you liked the Mozart cube! I hope the wine tasted okay. It’s definitely not as nice as what you’re used to. I LOVE the sweater you gave me, and I’ve been wearing it constantly, as my dad is one of those dads who refuses to turn the heat up above 65, even when the temperature is below freezing.
I’ll see Clive in just a few hours! I’m excited. Though every time we meet again it’s almost like I don’t know him. I get all nervous and tongue-tied. Then I get over it. Wish we could somehow fast-forward to the getting over it part.
Sam
December 27
2:01 AM
S—
Drifting off to sleep, but wanted to say quickly—the wine was great! Thanks again! Safe travels. xx E
P.S. I’m jealous of your family. They sound so nice and NORMAL.
December 27
9:37 PM
You’re funny. My family IS pretty nice and normal, I guess. Possibly too normal? They just expect everyone to follow a certain script. No one wants to hear about Clive, which makes me feel bad. My cousin brought some guy she’s been dating for three weeks home for Christmas, and everyone was falling all over him because he goes to Notre Dame.
Clive wanted us to spend Christmas together, but I couldn’t picture him at my parents’ house, opening presents in the morning with the rest of us. And I didn’t want to be apart from my family.
I wish I cared less what they think/what people think of me in general. My sister Caitlin is thirteen and she’s so much more confident than I will ever be. She still climbs into my mother’s lap, without worrying what anyone will say. She does that, AND she dyed the tips of her hair hot pink. She’s an amazing artist. Much better than I am.
I made it to England! Clive’s family has an annual Boxing Day celebration at his mother’s house in the country. This year they pushed it back a day so I could attend, which was nice, but I wished they hadn’t, as I would have rather spent my first full day here alone with him.
During lunch, I tried to cut into an undercooked carrot and sent it shooting across his mother’s dining room! She definitely saw, as did Clive, and his brother. The worst part was no one said anything. I want to die just thinking about it.
Our niece and nephew, Freddy and Sophie, make everything better. I know they’re not technically my niece and nephew yet, but they call me Auntie Sam. When I’m here, we spend as much time together as we can. They’re family now.