The Lies That Bind(23)

     As for my world, there really isn’t much to report. Work’s been fine. I’ve been assigned to the Giuliani affair/scandal. He and his girlfriend were apparently using the St. Regis as their love nest. Pretty sordid stuff, although I’m not really covering the affair—more the fact that someone at the St. Regis leaked the information—in other words, the hotel privacy angle. I’ve also returned to my own writing, as my nights are pretty free, and I’m feeling inspired….

Love,

Cecily

JUNE 20



Cecily,

We’re staying at One Aldwych in Covent Garden. It’s a new hotel that just opened in ’98, but the building itself is a historic landmark. With a triangular shape, it reminds me of the Flatiron, with all kinds of old English touches—curved corners, ornate moldings and balconies. It’s really beautiful. As for the weather, it’s been very stereotypically British…overcast, drizzly, and a little chilly. It doesn’t feel like June at all, but I actually don’t mind. It’s sort of comforting. Or maybe it just makes it easier to justify all the hours Byron and I have been spending in pubs. Ha-ha. Our favorite is the Lamb & Flag (formerly known as the Bucket of Blood because it hosted bare-knuckle prize fights in the 1700s). There’s a plaque on the building commemorating an attack in a nearby alley in which Charles II sent men to assault a poet for writing a satirical poem against his mistress. Not even you, a fiction writer, could make this stuff up! Speaking of which—what have you been working on? And what, exactly, has you so inspired?

JUNE 21



Grant,

It’s a young-adult coming-of-age story about a teen girl named Lily who moves from New York to a small town in Alabama while involved in a long-distance interracial relationship. I’ve also been writing some poetry, something I haven’t done in years. As for my inspiration, I think you know the answer to that. Let’s just say that the themes are on the romantic side—stuff about human connections and soul mates.

     Much more important, didn’t the trial start today? How is it going? How is Byron feeling? If you don’t want to talk about it—which I understand—then just give me more flavor on London. What do you order at your pub? Fish and chips? Yorkshire pudding? Shepherd’s pie? I want to picture you. I miss your face. I miss a lot of things.

Love,

Cecily

JUNE 22



Cecily,

Thank you for sharing a bit about your writing. Those are some great themes, and can’t wait to hear more. Hopefully you’ll even let me read it one day. (Of course, you won’t have a choice once you’re published and world famous!) As for the trial, yes it has begun. It’s very early, and mostly we’ve just covered administrative details, but I’m feeling hopeful. Will write again soon, but have to run now. Also, we really need to set up a time to talk voice to voice. It’s hard with the time zone difference—and the hotel charges a fortune for long distance—but we will figure something out.

Love,

Grant

P.S. I’m a sucker for shepherd’s pie. And you. : )

JUNE 26



Grant, I hope things are going well. I’m sure you and your brother are both exhausted and overwhelmed, so no pressure to write back. I just wanted to check in and let you know that I’m thinking of you both.

Love,

Cecily

     JUNE 27



Cecily,

I never feel pressure when it comes to you. I love writing you, and love hearing from you even more. Things have been very busy in a frustrating hurry-up-and-wait kind of way. But I shouldn’t complain. Everyone is extremely nice and professional. We’ve also had the chance to meet some of the other families in our situation. They’ve set it up as almost a support group in addition to the medical treatment. It’s been nice to connect, and a relief to know we aren’t alone, especially for Byron. But it’s still all so daunting—the outcome is totally unknown. There are risks, including that the drug could make people decline faster than they otherwise would. The doctors are very up front about that. I’ve tried to stay positive, and I know this is the best shot we have for a miracle, but I’m still scared and second-guessing myself. It’s even occurred to me to pull my brother out of the study and just go travel with him. Who knows how much longer he will be able to do that? There’s so much of the world he will likely never see. I’m sorry to unload all of this on you. I guess I’m just having a moment. It will pass. Tell me something good. Tell me you miss me as much as I miss you….G.

JUNE 27



Oh, Grant, I do miss you. So much. Thank you for sharing all of that. That said, please don’t ever feel like you have to write. I honestly can’t fathom what it must be like to watch your sibling go through something like this. So just do what you need to do, and know that I’m here for you, in whatever way you need.

Love,

Cecily

JUNE 27



Scottie, Grant just wrote me, and he sounds so down. He says he’s thinking about pulling his brother out of the trial so they can go travel. Grant thinks it may be his brother’s last chance to see some of the world. Can you imagine? I cannot even think about being in this situation with my brother or sister or you. I just don’t know what I would do. I wrote back that I was here for him, but he should feel no pressure to be in touch. Do you think that was okay? This is so brutal….