Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
The door opened again, and Oz was back. What the hell did he want now?
“The funeral was yesterday. I received the video this morning. You’ve been around her more than me or Kash. Is that something she will want to see? I don’t fucking know how to ask her. If she bursts into tears, I won’t know what to do.”
Fuck.
She’d want to see it. At least, I thought she would. And it was going to upset her. Jesus. I didn’t want to see her watch that, but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to let her watch it alone. No one needed to face that alone.
“Yeah, I’ll tell her.”
He let out a sigh of what I assumed was relief. “Thanks.”
“Where can I access it?”
“The main server. Connect your phone to it, and you should be able to play it on any television or computer in the house.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
He started to turn and stopped. “Are you, uh … gonna watch it with her?”
I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to see any goddamn funerals. “Yeah, I am.”
He frowned. “You sure?”
I knew what he wasn’t saying. What we were both thinking, but couldn’t voice.
“I wouldn’t be alone if it was me. I can’t imagine what that would feel like,” I replied.
He inhaled deeply, then blew it out. “Yeah. Me neither.”
Eighteen
Elsie
Elsie,
It was good to hear that you are settling in and are sleeping okay. Oz is going to be a dad, huh? That’s cool. Tell him congrats for me. And his wife, Winslet, correct? You know I’m terrible with names.
Set life is crazy. It’s thrilling, but the anxiety levels are through the roof. At least for me. The filming has officially begun, and the high that comes with it is surreal. I can’t wait until you get to come experience it. You will love Koralee. She’s over costume design. She reminds me a lot of you. Same quirky sense of humor, her hair is your exact color, and if she didn’t hiccup at the end of every laugh, that would sound like yours too. I’ve told her all about my best friend, and she looks forward to your visit.
We are rewatching Stranger Things together in the evenings. It’s fun to start from the beginning. She actually got to be on set a few times for it. Her stories are so badass. I’ll let her tell you though.
I asked Oz about your classes and the possibility of you doing them online. He said it can be traced. So, for now, you are going to have to drop out. I know it affects your scholarship, and you need that, but I’m hoping the DEA can talk to them or something. I’d think they could help you keep the scholarship. It’s the least they could do. Considering.
I miss you. Thinking about you daily and can’t wait to hear back. It helps to know you’re okay.
Love ya,
Calvin
I folded the letter back up and left it with the last one in the top drawer of the dresser. I had read it several times now, but not known how to respond. There was nothing to tell him that I wanted to write in a note that others would read. But last night had given me something more than my loneliness to report. I’d had an evening where I wasn’t weighed down with heaviness and sorrow.
Taking a piece of the stationery that Winslet had given me, I sat down to write a letter for Oz to scan and send to Calvin, or however they were doing it. I wasn’t really sure.
I knew Calvin well enough to recognize his interest in Koralee. When he liked a girl, he talked about her a lot. He also spent time with her and assured me I was going to like her if I hadn’t met her yet. Typically, I did like the girls he dated. His taste had improved since high school. Or I had stopped being jealous of the females he was with.
Calvin,
Stranger Things again? I don’t think I could survive it another time. The first was enough. But I’m happy to know you have found someone who will sit through it with you and enjoy herself. Just don’t go replacing me. Your best-friend slot is filled.
In all seriousness, I can’t wait to meet her. She sounds great. I’m glad you found someone to spend time with that you also work with.
Things are going well here. I mean, I don’t get to leave the house, and honestly, that is starting to make me feel caged in. The house is massive and very nice, as you know, but I’m not used to being indoors all the time. Although the alternative is terrifying. I worry if I will ever be able to go anywhere again and not feel on edge.
Change of subject before I get too dark. I don’t want to think about that. Not right now anyway.