Page 71 of Authentically, Izzy
Date: April9
Subject: Re: Um... remember that vying talk?
Izzy,
I think you were made for dreaming and if you ever really stopped, you wouldn’t be the Izzy we know and love. Besides, it’s never a waste of time to meet a foreign man with a lovelyaccent, as long as you’re in a safe, well-lit place and your money is secure. Or at least that seems to be the best scenario for it in real life. In fiction the handsome, foreign men are either the heroes or gangsters. Or maybe vampires. You really can’t tell for sure yet about Brodie, but since he wears sweater-vests, I’d bet he leans much more toward hero than gangster or vampire. Isn’t that encouraging?
Penelope
PS: I think you are very brave. You’ve worked with Mama for five whole years AND have never let headbands go out of style.
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood
Date: April9
Subject: Re: Um... remember that vying talk?
Izzy,
Why did you send that email to Penelope when you wanted a sensical answer?
The only sensical thing she said was the first sentence... and maybe the part about working with Mom, otherwise it’s all nonsense.
Brodie is not a gangster or a vampire. He’s also authentic. How do I know this?
He has a pair of Yoda ears.
Luke
PS: I’m rarely friends with gangsters.
From: Josephine Martin
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: April10
Subject: Re: Do you need help?
Izzy,
I thought you’d meet a man fromtownonline. Not someone from far away.
Besides, you and Eli made the cutest couple ever when Patrick and I saw you at Mi Casa last night.Andyou were smiling. I’m so glad you wore red. Red looks fabulous on you.
I think it’s going to be particularly awkward when your online friend shows up and learns about the man you’ve beendatingfor three weeks. It certainly puts you in a precarious position. They both may drop you, and then you’d be back to where you were over two months ago.
Think about this, Izzy! Maybe you should let the relationship with this online person go. What could he really offer you that Eli can’t? If you and Eli work at it, I’m sure you can grow into the romance you’ve always wanted. He’s teachable. He just needs some coaching, and since you’ve worked with children for years, I’m certain you can direct your skills to helping Eli become the man of your dreams.
Is the whole bookshop dream wrapped around this mysterious man? I called Penelope last night and she gave me much more information about your “Brodie” than I cared to know. He’s from some mysterious island country near Scotland!! Do you think he’d drop everything to move to North Carolina? Because that’s what he’d have to do since you don’t travel!
And I imagine he’s using all of those pretty quotes as a cover for some great deficiency in character. Or appearance.
Don’t risk a real-life boyfriend for one who is more make-believe than real! It’s so much like this library position. You could have something solid, dependable, and easy instead of something uncertain, unpredictable, and impractical. You’ve always been so good at taking my advice and so now you have it.
I tell you these things because I love you and I don’t want you to lose more time.
