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25. William’s girlfriend’s name was Helen Davies and she was the VP of Branding. The rumor floating around the firm was that they would be engaged any day. They came in together in the mornings, sipping their coffees. They’d go to Kendall Square for lunch. She’d retrieve him at the end of the day and off they’d zip down to Newbury Street for cocktails. She was always stunningly dressed. I shopped at Filene’s Basement.
I was put to work on a toilet paper account. It wasn’t as bad as it sounded. I got to go home with rolls of TP samples and think of inventive new ways to say getsyourassreallycleanwithjustonesheet.
I put him out of my mind. Until one day he sent me an email.
—Are those running shoes on your desk?
I emailed him back.
—Sorry! I know that’s a filthy habit. Putting my shoes on working surfaces. It won’t happen again.
And then he emailed me again.
—Just went by your cubicle. Where are they now?
—Where are what now?
And then a flurry of emails.
—Your running shoes, Brown.
—They’re on my feet.
—Because you’re going home?
—Because I’m going running.
—When?
—At lunch.
—Where?
—Um—outside.
—Yes, Brown. I assumed outside. Where outside?
—I start at the Charles Hotel. I do a five-mile loop.
—Meet you there in fifteen minutes.
19
From: Wife 22 <Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org>
Subject: Timing
Date: May 18, 12:50 PM
To: researcher101 <researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org>
Researcher 101,
It might take me a little longer than usual to get the answers back to you, as things are a bit crazy here. I should probably let you know that my husband was demoted. I’m sure we’ll figure it out, but it’s been stressful on all of us. I have to say it’s a strange time to be recounting our courtship. It’s hard for me to reconcile the young, vibrant William and Alice with the currently middle-aged us. It makes me kind of sad.
All the best,
Wife 22
From: researcher101 <researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org>
Subject: Re: Timing
Date: May 18, 12:52 PM
To: Wife 22 <Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org>
Wife 22,
I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s job. Please take all the time you need. Going back to the beginning is often difficult and dredges up all sorts of emotions. But in the long run I think you’ll find it enlightening to return to the past.
Sincerely,
Researcher 101
From: Wife 22 <Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org>
Subject: Re: Gambling
Date: May 18, 1:05 PM
To: researcher101 <researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org>
Researcher 101,
Sometimes when I log on to my computer I feel like I’m in a casino sitting in front of a slot machine. I have the same shivery feeling of anticipation—that anything is possible and anything can happen. All I have to do is pull the lever, i.e. press Send.
The rewards are immediate. I hear the machine churning. I hear all the lovely chimes and whooshes and pings. And when the symbols come up: “Kate O’Halloran likes your comment”; “Kelly Cho wants to be your friend”; “You have been tagged in a photo”—I am a winner.
What I’m trying to say is thanks for such a quick response.
Best,
Wife 22
From: researcher101 <researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org>
Subject: Unreachability
Date: May 18, 1:22 PM
To: Wife 22 <Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org>
Wife 22,
I understand what you’re saying completely, and often feel the same way, although I have to admit it worries me. It seems like we’ve gotten to the point where our experiences, our memories—our entire lives, actually—aren’t real unless we post about them online. I wonder if we might miss the days of being unreachable.
All the best,
Researcher 101
From: Wife 22 <Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org>
Subject: Re: Unreachability
Date: May 18, 1:25 PM
To: researcher101 <researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org>
Researcher 101,
I do not long for the old, unreachable days. When I’m plugged in I can go anywhere, do and learn anything. Today, for instance, I visited a tiny library in Portugal. I learned how the Shakers weave baskets and I discovered my best friend in middle school loves blood-orange sorbet. Okay, I also learned that a certain pop star actually believes she’s a fairy, an honest-to-goodness fairy from the fey people, but my point is access. Access to information. I don’t even have to look out my window to see what the weather is like. I can have the weather delivered every morning to my phone. What could be better?
Sincerely,
Wife 22
From: researcher101 <researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org>
Subject: Weather
Date: May 18, 1:26 PM
To: Wife 22 <Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org>
Wife 22,
Getting caught in the rain?
All the best,
Researcher 101
20
WEEKEND FORECAST THE BUCKLE HOUSEHOLD 529 IRVING DRIVE
ALERT: Rapidly Developing Class 3 Marital Storm Saturday AM
Windchill: Cold. Extremely cold. Freezing out husband while trying to pretend nothing is wrong.
Hi: Making it through day without screaming.
Lo: Head in hands. Soft moaning. Constant bouts of shame and mortification imagining KKM employees emailing Cialis video to hundreds of friends and said video then going viral.
Visibility: Limited. Refuse to look above husband’s jaw in order to avoid eye contact.
Share Weather: send to nedrar@gmail.com
Instant Message from nedrar@gmail.com
Nedra:Poor William!
Alice:Poor William? Poor me!
Nedra:This is what you get for going behind William’s back.
Alice:Did you even watch the video?
Nedra:Want my advice?
Alice:That depends. What will it cost me?
Nedra:Forget you ever saw it.
Saturday PM
Heat Index: Very High. Boiling hot.
Hi: Sitting on the couch watching MasterpieceTheatre.
Lo: Mentally trying to count the number of times we’ve had sex in the past twenty years while pretending to watch MasterpieceTheatre. Can’t do sums in head. Use fingers to add. Estimate 859. What’s wrong with that?
Visibility: Poor to none. Dense fog while trying to guess the number of times we’ll have sex in the next twenty years.
Share Weather: send to nedrar@gmail.com
Instant Message from nedrar@gmail.com
Nedra:Do not withhold sex.
Alice:Why not?
Nedra:This is not about sex.
Alice:What’s it about?
Nedra:Intimacy. There’s a difference.
