Page 127 of Late Fees

“I—I still don’t really know. It was just too hard.”

“What about him? Poor guy just kept on writing, even when you didn’t respond.”

“I know,” I said, hanging my head.

“All right, you don’t have to make her feel worse. She feels bad enough.”

“Does she?” Dutch asked. “Because they’re back together, and she still hasn’t read them.”

“Dutch!”

“Where are they?” Dutch demanded. “Go read them. Now.”

“That’s impossible. They’re at my house…two hours away.”

“Dang, I wish I had a car. I’d take you there right now.”

“Oh, stop it; you would not.”

“I absolutely would. I’m feeling bad for this cat. He’s clearly way more into you than you are into him.” His words were so matter-of-fact, it only made them sting more. I stared at him, my bottom lip on the floor.

“What? No!” Naomi hopped off the counter and swatted Dutch. “How could you say that?”

Dutch pursed his lips and shrugged before popping another piece of chocolate into his mouth. “I call ‘em like I see ‘em. He’s in love.”

“And so is she.” Naomi turned to me. “Right, Tilly?”

“I mean, I don’t know if I’m ready to say that to him yet, but…I’ve never felt like this for anyone. Not anyone.”

“So?” Dutch pressed. “I’ve never felt like I do about Sully, but that doesn’t mean I wanna hook up with the dude.”

“What? Now you’re not making any sense at all.”

“Listen, as many song lyrics will tell you, we have unique feelings about people that come into our lives. Just because your feelings are different than what you’ve felt for other dudes, doesn’t mean you love him.”

“Now you’re just being ridiculous.” Naomi put her hand up in front of Dutch’s face. “Tilly, do not listen to him. Clearly, he smoked a bowl and watched Barney before getting here today.”

“I mean…I’m not gonna lie, I did partake in some herbal refreshment this morning. And I may or may not have watched a certain beloved purple dinosaur…” Dutch said with a laid-back laugh. “But that’s beside the point.”

“You’re so strange, and apart from the nonsense you’re spewing right now, we love you,” Naomi said. “I do agree with Dutch on one thing, though. You have to read those letters.”

“I know. It’s time, isn’t it?”

“Yep.”

“It was time two years ago,” Dutch said. Naomi and I glared at him, and he put his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, but I speak the truth.”

“Do you think Hannah would care if I called home? I mean, I’ve gotta talk to my parents about staying in Evanston all summer, so technically, it’s a work call…”

“Girl, you should have seen how often our old boss used to make long-distance calls. All the freaking time. You’re fine; make the call and get those letters here. Pronto.”

“Okay, I’m calling my mom.”

My mom answered on the third ring. I explained the opportunity that Hannah had presented me. To my surprise, my mom agreed immediately.

“Really?” I asked.

“You have a two-year lease. Frankly, I was surprised you wanted to come home in the first place, especially since you have a job. Dad and I will come visit, and you can still take the train home whenever you want.”

“Awesome, thanks, mom.” I paused for a second. “And I was hoping you could do me a favor. A big one.”

---