Page 78 of Only After We Met

Why should I give you something in exchange?

That’s coercion. I’m still laughing.

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: Fine, it’s coercion

Yeah, that’s my old girlfriend. What do you think? She was a little superficial. But she wasn’t a bad person. I think. To tell the truth, we didn’t talk much. We basically just hooked up in the back seat of my car every time we had a free moment.

I made an effort, before you start chewing me out.

I absolutely hate photos.

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: Deal

I can see you two connected on a very deep level.

Okay, let’s make a deal. Tell me why you hate photos so much, and I’ll share something pathetic about my childhood. That seems fair.

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: RE: Deal

I don’t know, I don’t like the idea of freezing a moment. It doesn’t mean anything. A stranger could look at a photo from a family reunion and not feel anything. Just seeing faces or smiles, noticing a haircut or clothes, is nothing. I like keeping memories for myself, because I know what color and scent they had, you know? An image can’t convey that. It’s just flat. A piece of paper. I prefer taking mental photographs.

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: RE: RE: Deal

“Mental photographs”? How modern, Rhys.

Look, I know what you mean, but I don’t agree. I know a photograph can’t convey the sensation of a real memory, that tingle you feel when you look back, all those subtleties…but it’s also nice in its own way. For me, it’s like the prologue to areal memory. Sometimes I look at the pictures I have hanging on the corkboard. I just realized I don’t have any pictures of you. Worse, I don’t have any of us together. I don’t know if we’ll see each other again, but if we do, you better be sure I’ll take a bunch of photos, even if you complain and scowl at me.

I’m sending you my part of the deal.

Don’t laugh too much, okay?

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: Little Ginger…

Is that you? For real? It doesn’t look like you. It’s funny, I didn’t see any pictures like that on the corkboard in your room when I was at your house. You should know, you’re a serious cutie with those round little cheeks… And those huge braces! I felt the urge to tug on the ponytails of that studious little girl.

Of course we’ll see each other again.

But no photos, Ginger.

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