Page 70 of Authentically, Izzy
PPS: I’m not sure that love is ever “sudden.” It seems much too big to happen so fast.
From: Brodie Sutherland
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: April9
Subject: Clarification
Isabelle,
I wanted to send a brief note to clarify times for my visit. I’ll follow up with Luke as well. Please do not feel obligated to adjust your schedule. I’ll be happy to explore on my own when you are otherwise engaged. However, I want to be clear from the outset that I’m coming with the sole purpose of meeting you. Everything else will only serve as an additional pleasure.
To be perfectly candid, I am not someone who trifles with others’ emotions, nor do I make decisions rashly, so if this interest between us—this connection—is merely one-sided, I would beg you to tell me now and I will adjust my plans and correspondence accordingly. For my part I have hopes for something much more.
I have no set expectations, except to uncover how I can hold such a kinship with someone I’ve never met in person... and how that may strengthen when we are face-to-face. If you are willing to explore that possibility with me, I hope to arrive on May2 in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. My flight-schedule options are attached.
Hopefully,
Brodie
PS: “You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing.”Charlotte’s Web(one of Fiona’s favorites).
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood
Date: April9
Subject: Um... remember that vying talk?
I take back my last email. One of them may have a certain interest in my heart. The other appears to enjoy my editing services with a little more enthusiasm than my conversation skills, but depending on the reason behind his sudden interest, we’ll see what that means.
I’m forwarding Brodie’s email because I feel certain it will make you all starry-eyed and smiley. (Not you, Luke. You’ll probably feel nauseous and irritable.) I’ll admit to feeling a little giddy with it myself. And then... a little nervous. Okay, in all honesty, a lot nervous.
Penelope, you know that scene inYou’ve Got Mailwhen Joe Fox is outside the restaurant getting ready to meet the lady he’s been corresponding with for a while (aka Kathleen Kelly)? Of course you remember it, because you breathe and eat these movies!
Anyway, I feel like Joe when he looks at his friend and says, “Kevin, this woman is the most adorable creature I’ve ever been in contact with.” If he turns out to be exactly what he seems, I’d be crazy not to turnmylife around and fall head over heels in love with him. I mean what guy says stuff like he does? Not referencing the accent, of course, but HIM.
But there is the crazy part. How can two people with totally different lives make something like this work for real? I have a life here. He has a life there. I have family here. He has family there. Creating a future seems perfectly impossible! But... Iwanthim to come. I want to spend time walking with him and discovering bookshops together. I want to know if our conversations will flow as easily and sweetly in person as they do online. I want to believe after all the frustrations and heartache and false love I’ve experienced, that this... this is somethingrealandlasting. That I’m worthrealandlastingto someone. To him.
Dean and HWLMATA left me second-guessing myself and bitter against the idea that real-life romance still existed. In fact, this thing with Eli has been fine, but when I look back on my two previous major relationships, they fit the same description too. Fine. (At least at first, before I realized they were USING me.) I don’t want to settle for fine when there can be such a man as Brodie! Have I been blinded by fiction? Am I naive to hope? Is it ridiculous to not take what’s in front of me and close at hand while I can?
So sorry to wax dramatic. But there it is. My choice.
And my next email could change everything from this point on.
Izzy
PS: Perhaps I should try to write women’s fiction. I suddenly feel inspired toward melodrama.
PPS: I want to meet him, guys. I want it more than I have words to say. And that’s a lot.
PPPS: And I’m going to be brave.
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood
