Jay
… to see the letters
She doesn’t answer for an hour. I spend that hour in thebig house, checking the library for the twentieth time to see if I’ve missed anything in Grandad’s collection that might shed more light on Sammy’s motivations.
When my phone buzzes, I whip it from my pocket so fast, it flies out of my hand and hits Phoebe’s desk with a sound somewhere between a thump and a crack. I hurry over and discover that in a showdown between an antique walnut desk and a new iPhone, the result is a draw. No chips in the desk, no cracks in the phone.
Phoebe
Enjoy your afternoon. We can look at it Monday.
Jay
But I’m dying of curiosity NOW
I think it’s giving me a rash?
That’s a rash, right? Looking at the letter will cure it.
Phoebe
…
…
Have you considered some soothing Butt Balm?
I laugh out loud. She found the apothecary.
Jay
That stuff is great on squeaky hinges, btw
Phoebe
Will stock up for museum maintenance needs
I said let me come over, she said no, I claimed a rash, and it didn’t amuse her enough to say “Come over.”
It’s uncomfortable having it hanging in the air, unaddressed.
Then again, she didn’t say no the second time, which means …
Jay
Cool. Coming over.
I jog out to my car and ignore the three texts that come in on the drive to The Serendipity. I take a guest spot in the parking garage before I check them.
Phoebe
Tomorrow is fine
Jay?
