Page 33 of Authentically, Izzy
Luke
PS: Izzy, a quote you once shared with me: “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” You have more courage than you think. Maybe it’s time to use it in the real world.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: March16
Subject: The mysterious library man
There’s been an unexpected development, and I don’t think Josie’s involved. A man came into the library today, took a stack of books from the Classics section, and began to read... for three hours. I’m not sure what conclusions we can draw fromWuthering Heights,Moby Dick,Animal Farm, andGulliver’s Travels, but when he checked out, he began a conversation about the pleasantness of the library and its decorations (which I’m quite proud of. You can never have too much Irish ambience). Before I knew it, he’d asked for my phone number. While I stumbled through an answer, Aunt Louisa came up from behind me and gave it to the man. I think I smiled when he said he’d call. I’m not sure. Because somewhere in the middle of him asking and me trying to formulate a response, I lost sensation in my face. Why do I always do that when a man asks for my number?
Here’s the quandary: Is it possible to cheat on a man I’m writing to online when I’ve never even seen his face? Would it be wrong to go out for coffee with a real-life person while having conversations of the bookish sort with an online person? (Not that Brodie isn’t alive, BTW.) And we’ve only “known” each otherfor a month, though that month has been such fun. But it’s not as though Brodie and I have made any sort of commitment. Right?
Izzy
PS: The library man looked every bit the part of a dashing rogue. Perhaps I shouldn’t trust him.
PPS: Penelope, I’m sending a valid link to Skymar to assure you that it’s a real place. Brodie is real, too, but I still haven’t ascertained if he’s human or marriageable. Also, he lives on the largest island of Skymar called Ansling. Yeah, a little confusing, but I’m learning.
PPPS: Luke, why do you have to be so obnoxiously clever?
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: March17
Subject: Re: The mysterious library man
Okay, you just went above my pay grade. I think you just started living your best (or worst) fictional life now.
Do they have counselors for things like this?
Luke
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood
Date: March17
Subject: Re: The mysterious library man
Oh my goodness, Izzy!! It sounds like something from the musicalShe Loves Me. Could Brodiebethe library guy? An undercover spy to see if YOU are exactly as you seem to be online? After all, the man did choose classics, as you said, though the only two I’ve heard about areMoby Dickand the one we’re not supposed to mention to you when you’re stressed.
But why would you be stressed?? Haven’t you always said you hoped to meet your future husband in a library? This is kismet! I’m all aflutter. Izzy! You are currently livingYou’ve Got Mail!
Did the mysterious library man have a Scandinavian-Celtic accent? Or wooden shoes? Those would have been dead giveaways for sure.
Oh, Izzy, just imagine what this could mean for you! No flying involved!! You can finally face your future and fall in love at the same time. I’m almost shivering with excitement.
Penelope
PS: Does the library guy have a name? I feel strange referring to him so generically.
From: Izzy Edgewood
