Page 12 of It's Me They Follow
But are you sure you can stay away?
Any and all of those conversations would nail the coffin shut, and you did well to leave him once more, even if only for twenty-one days.
Meanwhile, ME = fantasy. Sounds like more make pretend if you ask me.
Handsome ME might be a monk in training, but he also seems immature. I think he may be hiding his true nature underneath rules and piety. I’m not sure how long you can keep the illusion alive that he is more authentic and gifted and worth giving yourself to than he actually may be.
But the specific details of the journey can drive your creativity and maybe give you something to write about. Plus, remember, the bookshop is here. Don’t let him sidetrack youinto helping to mend his broken soul while you put your dream on the back burner—again.
As always, whether it’s with youknowwho or ME, it can be fun to stay in the fantasy and take the ride. Enjoy this tantalizing part of wanting to touch but not being allowed to. That longing is precious. Particularly when you lie together and look deeply into each other’s eyes. Très, très romantique!!!
But take it for what it is for now. Do not trick yourself and decide you are suddenly in love with him. Let him fill the romantic space without allowing him to take up all of your spaces. By going too far in this, you don’t want to cut off those who are still meant to come to you.
Make room to let them find you. Will keep you updated.
Your Sister Friend,
Elle
Chapter 6
JANUARY 6, 2020
5:15 P.M.
After reading the letter and having started her fast with ME, The Shopkeeper got testy and tested. She went through withdrawal. She was not kind. Without coffee and hot food, just apples and water, she had the shakes and the jitters, and kept running to the restroom to “release the toxins.”
Again, the writers’ group wondered why she did these things, but these are the things she did.
However, fasting had its upside. It heightened her senses and gave her fantastic dreams. It was fasting that helped her sense that the lady delivering her awning from Signarama had That Energy even before the lady hopped out of her oversized truck with its huge yellow crane. She just had that look about her. Big and gruff, with a fur vest and a fur hat—That Energy, The Shopkeeper called it. No matter what, The Shopkeeper couldn’t open the door for That Energy because it would be touchy, and she didn’t want it too close.
But then That Energy started tapping incessantly on the bookshop’s frontglass with her keys like she didn’t see The Shopkeeper standing inside. “I am here to install your awning.” The woman grew annoyed. “Open this door.”
“Hi there,” The Shopkeeper said, opening the door a crack. “I am not trying to be rude. But are you touchy?”
“Touchy.” That Energy’s inner teddy bear turned grizzly. That Energy was taken aback. “Yeah, I have been told that a time or two.” She put her hands on her hips.
“I can tell.” The Shopkeeper should have kept that to herself.
“Excuse me?” That Energy’s eyes grew beady.
“I mean, you look warm and fuzzy, like a teddy bear, and I can tell you give lots of hugs. I am not saying that you’re easily irritated, ignorant, and mean-spirited like a grizzly.” The Shopkeeper tried to de-escalate.
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, I have this thing about touch.” The Shopkeeper tried to explain some more.
“I’m not sure what you’re implying here. But I am not trying to touch you, ma’am. I am trying to install your awning.”
“Yes, I get that, but...”
“Ma’am, believe me, you are not my type, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“No, that’s not what I was thinking at all.”
“Do you want this thing installed or not?”
“I do, but...”
