Page 44 of Authentically, Izzy
Subject: Your bookish Rhett Butler & fashion choices
Izzy,
I can’t help but feel that Patrick and I intruded on your dinner with Eli, but you appeared so genuine when you asked us to join you. And Eli was positively adamant! It would have been rude to refuse. Isn’t he charming? How providential that he had a copy of his books on hand for us to purchase. I’m not much of a reader, but Patrick may like them.
Wouldn't it be a perfect match for you to marry an author? A bookworm like yourself paired with a man who creates books! And what wonderful work experience he has! To have worked in three different college settings over the past six years. Can you imagine the knowledge and talent he brings to teach atourcommunity college! I imagine not many places can boast a PhD and author in their community college programs. It says a lot about his personality that he’d want to bring his expertise to our little town when he could find a job in so many other places.
I don’t know why Patrick stayed so quiet all evening. The two of you barely spoke. It’s a good thing that Eli and I have no trouble keeping a conversation going. Izzy, you must force yourself to talk to Eli if you want to snag him. You can’t rely on me showing up every time. Surely you can find something related to books to talk about, though I do wish he hadn’t discussed torture techniques in early Rome. I couldn't finish my chicken after that.
Josephine
PS: I left a box of clothes in the back of your car. Things I don’t wear anymore. Please try some variety in your wardrobe. Black and brown are not the only colors in the world.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: March24
Subject: Brynna
Brodie,
I’m still chuckling at Brynna’s first message. I suddenly feel that my emails to you weren’t so long after all. Brynna’s energy bubbles off the page so much that I actually laughed out loud. How do you manage such “sprightliness” on a daily basis? Do you have a sensory room to escape to after a conversation? But you were right, she does have a great deal of kindness in all of those words and loves you so much. In fact, she had so many good things to say about your entire family, it made me want to know more about them too. I guess the fact that your mom is English really answers the question about why you speak it so well.
I suggested a few simple changes to the website (photos of the inside of the shop as well as photos with PEOPLE in them inside the shop... We want the world to know that people like to be there). Featuring a book of the week on your blog or social media outlets may be a good idea, too, though Brynna alluded to the fact that there wasn’t a blog and the website is fairly... archaic? I encouraged her to start simple but be consistent. All the information I’ve learned from classes list consistency as a key component in growing online engagement. Maybe she could try something with broad appeal to begin with and then as she becomes more comfortable, perhaps choose a different genre per day of the week to share a new release or enduring classic. I also included some social-media tips and tricks I’ve used for the library. I’ve been doing some extra research because I’m helping my cousin Luke build an online presence for the construction business he’s starting here in town. He’s allergic to social media.
BTW, as soon as the P. G. Wodehouse books were returned to the library, they were snatched up again before I could catch them. I settled on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for now. However, to my surprise, Luke shows up at my apartment and reveals thathe’sthe one who checked out the P. G. Wodehouse books fromthe library!! I saw him carrying one around yesterday. He even had the nerve to read a few funny quotes to me and then stop in the middle of an excellent scene and LEAVE THE ROOM! (I was ALMOST forced to purchase sight unseen, which I RARELY do when I can preview a book risk-free from the library.) However, there is no torture like an unfinished story! I’m trying to figure out how to get back at Luke. One time I left a copy of a bodice-ripping novel in the front seat of his truck for one of his work buddies to see . . . and then positioned myself across the street to watch the whole thing play out. I don’t think I’d ever seen a human’s face turn so red. He is definitely not the bodice-ripper sort of reader.
I look forward to our video chat tomorrow. I already know which tea I’m brewing for the occasion. And I’m making homemade shortbread in your honor.
Izzy
PS: I’m only ruthless to those I love. I don’t try to embarrass the children at the library and, rarely, my coworkers. (If you met Luke, you’d understand why he’s an exception.)
PPS: Do you read historical adventures set in ancient times? I’m currently reading a novel and I can’t tell whether I’m having a difficult time getting through it because of the time period or the inflated characters.
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: March24
Subject: SCOTLAND
Izzy,
I had to message you as soon as I found out! My study abroad program next semester is in SCOTLAND!! Maybe I could take a little trip over to the Skymarian Islands and scout out Brodie and the Sutherlands. I’m very good at spying, you know. When we were in middle school, I unwrapped and rewrapped all of my Christmas presents four years straight without anyone ever knowing. And if you’ll remember, I’m the one who knew Patrick was going to ask Josephine to marry him before anyone else did... and that was before he left the engagement ring out on the kitchen counter by mistake. I have a sixth sense about these things. I suppose being in theater for most of my life helps me read people.
I did send the link about Skymar to my professor, just so he’d know of it for future internships, and mentioned I’d be interested in switching if they found a place for me there. Though there aren’t any musicals set in Skymar. At least with Scotland, I can put the soundtrack fromBrigadoonon repeat.
By the way, a guy in my literature class is studying in Scotland too. He wears sweater-vests. Do you think he smokes a pipe? I’ve always envisioned sweater-vests and pipes together. I’m fine with the vest but I’d rather not date someone who smokes pipes. The tobacco smell sticks to your hair and clothes. Remember Grandfather! I’m going to see if I can get close enough to sniff him before I decide whether I’ll flirt or not. You’d like him though, Izzy. He reads big books and has excellent posture.
Penelope
PS: Thank you for the care package. You know my love languageis chocolate and Hallmark movies! And how on earth were you able to find an umbrella just like Mary Poppins’s? I love it so much!! I almost started singing “Jolly Holiday” on my way to Advanced Public Relations, but it wasn’t a holiday. I sang “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” instead.
PPS: Josephine said she met Clark Gable. She liked him a lot. What do you think about him? She took a photo of the two of you together, but I don’t think it was a planned photo. It looks like she was trying to hide her phone behind her water glass, which made Clark’s eyebrows massive.
