Page 17 of The Exception to the Rule

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?

My mom is doing great, thank you for remembering. She’s a badass.

Omg wait I just realized you graduate this spring! Congratulations! Do you know what you’re doing after college?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?

Yeah, I’m headed to grad school in [you won’t want me to tell you what city] for [you won’t want me to tell you what program]. Also I meant to ask you whether you ever felt like you connected with something for your major? I know that had been stressing you out a bit.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?

Good job, you badass! Is it weird that I just had a pang of sadness that I won’t be at your college graduation? I know we don’t know each other, really, and I don’t have any idea where you’re going to school, but in the past six years of change and chaos, you’ve been a constant. We come from the same hometown so in a way we do know each other. Or at least, we know where we come from. Maybe someday, way in the future, we’ll run into each other back in Irvine and I’ll just somehow know it’s you.

Anyway, I’m getting sappy. And re: my major, I did! Actually, I was happily plugging away as a psych major and then I took a [subject redacted] class with this new, young professor, and it was like a total revelation. I’m in love. Hoping to grad school it myself when I’m done.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?

It’s not sappy. I agree. And it’s a cool thought. If I’m ever back in Irvine for good, I’ll drop you a line. You do the same.

And I’m so glad that you found what sparks you.

Happy Valentine’s Day, T.

Chapter Eight

2021

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 13, 2021

Subject: Happy Early Valentine’s Day!

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