Page 114 of For Eva

SIXTY-ONE

February 2009

From: Eva Mitchell

To: Eric S

Date: February 23, 2009 7:06PM

Subject: Crazy?

So I did something kind of crazy today. I reached out to my old boss and told him I was thinking about going back to work. I just kept thinking about how you said my face lit up when I talked about it and that I had a lot to offer, and I did it. Obviously, my old position is filled, but he promised I’d be the first person he’d call if anything opens up. Apparently, he’s missed me and said things haven’t been the same since I left. Who knew?! It’s a smaller label, so not sure if there will be something for me, but it felt so good to actually take the step, you know? I think…well, I think Aaron made me believe it was wrong to want to be anything other than a wife and mother. Actually, I don’t think that, I know that. And I’m angry at myself for letting him get into my head.

Which leads me to the next crazy thing I did today. I called and made a therapy appointment. I should’ve done that months ago, but I don’t know…I think I sort of figured I could deal with it all myself. But I know you told me when we last talked how helpful therapy has been for you, and Denise has her therapist on speed dial, so… yeah. I think this is gonna be good. Just not sure if I’m gonna clam up and not say a word or completely vomit everything I’ve ever kept inside onto this poor woman. TBD. I’ll keep you posted. ;)

From: Eric S

To: Eva Mitchell

Date: February 24, 2009 10:21AM

Subject: Re: Crazy?

FUCK YEAH. This is amazing! Forget crazy—do you realize how fucking brave you are? Both of these things are major, and do not think otherwise. And of course your old boss misses you—how could he not? I’m so happy for you. Truly.

About therapy…I remember being really scared of it—like, why would I wanna dig up things from the past when I could just try to forget about them and move on? The problem is, of course, you never really forget them. Things can haunt you for life if you don’t talk about them with someone who can help you work through the feelings they bring up. I’m so damn proud of you, Eva. I know you don't need me to say that, but I have to because it’s true. You’re remembering who you are. And that’s someone who can do anything she fucking puts her mind to.

Call me soon. Our last phone call / viewing ofKISS Meets the Phantom of the Parkwas the most fun I’ve had since 1978. That movie is fucking phenomenal. Robot KISS fighting real KISS? Come on. That was Emmy material.

SIXTY-TWO

Eva

March 2009

“Oh my God, Denise. Why did I agree to do this?” I brought my knees to my chest and rested my forehead on them. “What the hell was I thinking?”

“Because you have to get back out there, Eva,” she said. “And this is just practice. For when you come out to visit me and see Eric again.”

I imagined her lips twisting into a sly grin as I raised my head and flopped against the corner of the sectional. “For the tenthousandthtime, Eric and I are just friends. And I don’t need practice because I don’t want to date anyone.”

“Okay, fine. Then whydidyou agree to this?”

“I was conned into it. My friend Kate asked if I wanted to go to dinner, and I said yes. Then all of a sudden—surprise!—her husband and his coworker are joining us. So, I didnotagree to this. I was duped.”

Denise chuckled. “Kate sounds fun.”

“Great. Then you should come out here and go to dinner with them.”

“Sorry, babe,” she said. “Considering your date’s in two hours and the flight to Nashville is four, looks like it’s gonna have to be you. Plus, my husband gets weird about me seeing other men.”

I managed a half-hearted laugh.

“Maybe you’ll end up liking the guy. He could be superhot. Have you seen a picture?”

I blew out a breath and ran a hand down my face. “She sent me the website for their company. He’s the chief accounting something or other. Objectively good-looking, I guess, for a guy in a suit and tie who spends his days talking about numbers.”

“As opposed to a guy in a T-shirt and jeans who spends his days writing songs about how much he loves you?”

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