Love and Other Words(17)

From: Elliot P. <[email protected]> Date: January 2, 07:02 AM

To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]> 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 <[email protected]> Date: January 2, 8:32 PM

To: Elliot P. <[email protected]>

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. <[email protected]> Date: January 2, 08:54 PM

To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]> Subject: re: book

Hi Macy,

Yes. Exactly like that. And also helmets and cardboard horses.

Elliot

From: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]> Date: January 2, 9:06 PM

To: Elliot P. <[email protected]> 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. <[email protected]> Date: January 2, 09:15 PM

To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]> 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.

Elliot

From: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]> Date: January 3, 6:53 PM

To: Elliot P. <[email protected]> Subject: Crazy!

Hi Elliot,

I’m pretty sure that was you being condescending last night, so here is me being mature and ignoring it.

Want to hear something crazy? My friend Nikki got suspended for making out with a guy in the cafeteria today! I was all oh my god what is happening? I told Dad and he asked if I had kissed any boys and I was all no way! Who would I kiss at school they’re all losers!

Anyway that was crazy!

Macy

From: Elliot P. <[email protected]> Date: January 3, 08:27 PM

To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]> Subject: re: Crazy!

My friend Christian got suspended last year for building a rocket in shop. I’m not even sure where he got the fuel but it totally flew through the window and hit a car in the parking lot. It was awesome.

So you don’t hang out with guys at your school?

Elliot

From: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]> Date: January 4, 7:32 AM

To: Elliot P. <[email protected]> Subject: re: Crazy!

I do Doug and Cody have been in school with me since first grade so we are sorta close but kissing close? Uh no they’re nice but I think I’ll probably meet a college guy at some point because the guys at my school are all into video games and skateboards and Danny (another friend) totally tried to touch my butt once at a dance but I was all I don’t think so.

Macy

From: Elliot P. <[email protected]> Date: January 4, 07:34 AM

To: Macy Lea Sorensen <[email protected]> Subject: re: Crazy!

Macy,

Punctuation is your friend.

Elliot

now

thursday, october 5

L

iz Petropoulos, what a trip.

She’s medium height, curvy, and has the most amazing skin. Also, no fewer than four times have I told her how much I covet her cheekbones. She’s a smiler, saying hello to everyone who walks in the doors to the Mission Bay building and stopping anyone without a badge, beckoning them to sign in.

I raise my badge as I do every morning. Thankfully she was on break yesterday when I burst in, frazzled after my non-breakfast with Elliot, but today she smiles with a little glimmer in her eyes, like she knows more now than she did the last time I saw her.