Page 19 of The Exception to the Rule

Thanks, yeah honestly, it’s been rough. I felt bad leaving home again, too, because I realized that even though I’m the youngest, my dad took care of his girls in a way that I want to continue even though he’s gone. He kept up with everyone’s life day-to-day. He always knew what questions to ask. I want to follow in those footsteps but feel a little lost.

We’re all just figuring it out as we go.

But I really love what I’m studying right now, and everyone else in the family is doing well, considering. My oldest sister just had her first kid in January, so I’m an uncle to a baby girl now, and my middle sister is getting married this summer, so life goes on even when hard things happen.

Happy Valentine’s Day officially now. Go get some Din Tai Fung and toast a dumpling to me.

C.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2021

Subject: Breaking the rules for soup dumplings

Here’s a picture for you from dinner last night. Soup dumpling and my hand holding chopsticks. I consulted the D&P and this was allowable. It was particularly delicious last night, too. I can’t stop thinking about you and your family. I know they don’t know me, but send your mom and sisters some love from me.

xo

T.

Chapter Nine

2022

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2022

Subject: Look who’s back on top

Happy Valentine’s Day and I’ll take my victory lap now.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2022

Subject: Re: Look who’s back on top

Ahhh.I even set an alarm for midnight, but I slept right through that flimsy bitch.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2022

Subject: Re: Look who’s back on top

How are you? Are you back at school or still in Irvine?

From: [email protected]

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