I’m always asking you questions that aren’t any of my business. But to answer your question, I do have enough work at all times to stay busy. I’m almost too busy. My aunt with the bridal shop used to make a lot of the dresses herself. Then she started getting “busier” (lazier) and would leave the more time-consuming things to me. The last year, she hasn’t been doing hardly anything and has me do the entire dress. My other aunt that manages the dry cleaning business is my main priority. It’s getting harder to balance both and do my side work.
My dad’s gone. He was only here for five days, but we had a good time. He stayed with my marine brother. We went to a few museums together, took a trip to this pier nearby, and went to the movies. I was waking up early to spend time with him since I don’t usually have things to do during the day, that’s when he was free since everyone else was at work or practice at that time. At night, he would spend time with everyone else. I promised to go to California to visit in a few months.
Hope you’re okay.
-Ruby
P.S. Yes it is my mom. Deal with it.
From: [email protected]
Date: November 30, 2008 1:22 p.m.
To: [email protected]
Subject: Not Dealing With It
Ruby,
I would never want to be an officer. I already deal with enough political BS. Being commissioned increases the BS to levels I’m not willing to handle. Plus, half the officers I’ve met have been entitled pricks. Not all of them, but enough.
Your “mom” and your “sister” look like twins. What does your grandma look like? Do you look like them? I don’t mean that in a sketchy way. I won’t be sending you any “tick lick” pictures all of a sudden. Don’t worry.
Heh. Yeah, we did get into all kinds of… things when we were younger. The problem was not getting caught. We used to make napalm, mess with electrical stuff… Good times. Don’t know how I didn’t lose a finger at least thinking back on it now.
Your costumes are amazing. I don’t understand how you think you aren’t creative enough. I don’t know anyone that could do what you’ve made. Do you go all out with your makeup when you cosplay? My favorite was your Ghost Rider outfit.
You’re really talented. I’m not just saying it. Remember that.
I’m not the jealous type. I don’t know… maybe I didn’t pay enough attention to her. It wouldn’t be the first time an ex has told me that. I wouldn’t sit somewhere and expect her to go behind my back while we were together, but now? I wouldn’t be surprised. I should’ve expected it. She broke up with me out of the blue. I e-mailed her to ask if there was someone else right after… I was angry. She said that wasn’t it, that there wasn’t anybody else. I can’t talk myself into asking any of our mutual friends what she’s up to and if she’s with someone else. Should I?
Hold up… you were into someone for so long that you never wanted to date anyone else? Why wouldn’t they want to be with you? You seem like a great girl. Why would you wait for somebody anyway? How long did you like him? This all sort of blows my mind. I’ve never known anyone over the age of 18 who hasn’t been in a relationship, even if it was a bad one.
I don’t kiss and tell. Heh.
I’m kidding, I’ll tell you. Girls I’ve called my girlfriend since I was like 16? Around 20. I’ve lost count. Not more than 30.
Glad you got some quality time with your dad. California is pretty nice. When are you thinking about visiting?
Hope you’re doing all right.
-Aaron
P.S. I’m not dealing with it. That woman isn’t old enough to have a kid your age.
Chapter 7
December
From: [email protected]
Date: December 1, 2008 5:05 a.m.
To: [email protected]
Subject: Get Over It
Aaron,
I talk to my brother about our e-mails sometimes, and he laughed when I told him your views on officers. He said, and I quote, “Nobody likes officers but other officers.”
My mom and sister are both beautiful. I don’t have any pictures of my mom’s mom. She didn’t like having her picture taken. I think she thought they stole your soul or something. She was a pretty old school from everything I’ve heard. I’m not even kidding. She died before I was born, but supposedly, she was a beauty queen. I don’t look anything like her. She’s got that red hair and mine decided it didn’t want to be red like hers or black like my dad’s, but I have closer to her coloring minus the freckles and inability to tan, and her eyes. I don’t look like either of my parents, more like both of them and neither one of them at the same time. My brothers call me “the milk man’s baby” because the rest of them look like one or the other, except me.
You guys had the Destruction Cookbook, didn’t you?
Thanks. I’m glad you liked my cosplay. With the exception of the Leeloo costume, I usually always do characters who have their faces covered. I don’t like being the center of attention. When I put the face paint on, it’s like I’m taking on the character and it makes me more outgoing, if that makes any sense. Like I’m not myself. It gives me a boost of confidence. That makes me sound like a weirdo, but it’s true.
Not that you’re asking, but I think you’re better off just living with the doubt. Unless you’re planning on getting back together, why torture yourself and get more pissed off? She did what she did, or she didn’t. Either way, I’m sorry. …do you want to get back together? Not judging, only asking.
You’re making me feel like an idiot. Here’s the thing: everyone knew I had feelings for this person. My entire family did. It wasn’t something I tried keeping a secret. I’d liked him my entire life. Besides fictional characters, he was the only person I had ever been in love with. Or at least, it felt like I was in love with him. I don’t know anymore. I’d like to blame it on just being young and dumb, but that seems like a cop out to say that. It was the classic in-love-with-your-older-brother’s-friend situation… except it was real life.
I’m the only person I know who’s never had a boyfriend either. It wasn’t like I didn’t know that. Even my little sister, as busy as she is, has had a couple of them.
Twenty-something girlfriends. Hmm. What was your longest relationship? I’m trying to do the math in my head and you would’ve had to have at least 3 a year for a while.
I was thinking about going to visit my dad sometime next year. April maybe. Have you lived in California?
-Ruby
P.S. I swear on my life I came out of her almost 24 years ago. Accept it.
From: [email protected]
Date: December 4, 2008 2:39 p.m.
To: [email protected]
Subject: Never (Getting Over It)
Ruby,
Your brother’s comment about officers made me laugh. Take our word for it. It’s true. It takes a certain kind of person to want to be an officer. If you ever meet one, you’ll understand.
I bet your sister will be like your mom, picking up guys half her age later on. If you do or don’t look like your mom, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. I got a question: did your brothers’ friends ever hit on her?
…how did you know that was the book we had?
Your face paint reason I get. It’s like you’re stepping into a role… nothing wrong with that. :] Whatever makes you happy. For some reason, I have a hard time imagining you being shy, but I’ll take your word for it.
I know you’re right about my ex, but it still doesn’t sit right with me. I keep telling myself that it doesn’t matter what she did, but it doesn’t change anything. Did I waste years of my life? That’s what bothers me the most, I guess. No, I don’t want to get back together with her. We’re done.