Mom's Perfect Boyfriend

by Crystal Hemmingway

  From: Crystal Hemmingway

  To: Frank and Debbie Richards

  Subject: Re: David

  Dear Debbie and Frank,

  Thanks for your note. Hope you had a great time in Yellowstone. I enjoyed the pictures you posted on Facebook, especially those of Debbie and the grizzly cubs. Glad you were able to recover your potato salad before the mama bear arrived.

  Thanks for the update on David. Sounds like he’ll be out of range for awhile, so please don’t worry about the rent. I will cover it myself for now and I can sort it out with David once he returns.

  Thanks again for your help.

  Best,

  Crystal

  Margot’s Journal, Friday September 22

  My life is about to change. In less than two weeks, my daughter is going to move back in with me! It’s only a temporary arrangement (Crystal says it’ll be no more than two months), but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.

  We talked it over a lot the last few days, and I think this is the best solution. It sounds like David is leaving on a sabbatical soon, so they’re going to give up their apartment next month. David is going on an extended camping trip with a friend to contemplate the next steps in his game development career. I think it’s a wise choice, considering how depressed he seemed in Hawaii. David and Crystal will do the long-distance thing. Her goal is to finish the first draft of her novel before he gets back.

  Crystal is still on unemployment at the moment, and she’d lose that if she got a job at a grocery store or some other minimum-wage position. We ran the numbers, and it makes more sense for her to continue holding out for a job that suits her talents better, and focus on her novel in the meantime.

  It’s going to be interesting living with her again after all this time, because we’ve both grown and changed. I’m just glad that I’m able to be there for her at such a challenging time in her life, to help ease the transition to her next job. Crystal seemed to enjoy her work at Princesses, Inc. well enough, but I think she was overworked and underpaid. I’m excited to see where the next chapter in her life will take her, because it feels like there are so many more exciting opportunities available to her than there were before.

  It’s going to be a bit of a transition, though. I keep quite busy and have a lot of commitments each week. I told Crystal that she doesn’t have to worry about rent for now, so hopefully she won’t stay long enough for that to become an issue. She’ll have some good long hours to write while I’m at work, but I’ll probably have to talk to her about splitting up the chores on the weekends. When she visited in the past, I usually played the hostess, but I hope she doesn’t expect me to wait on her when we live together. I’m going to make sure that we both pull our weight, but we’ll have our fair share of fun, too.

  I’ve gotten so used to my own company; it’ll be different having someone around again. I hope she understands that I’m going to need some quiet time to recharge now and then. There will be some advantages too, I imagine. We’ll be able to go on walks together, especially down by the beach. We could go to the farmers’ market on the weekend, and say hi to Grace and Alice. Maybe Crystal could pitch in with the cooking, and I would finally have time to start a side business. Something fun, maybe. Like baking.

  I already had a busy weekend planned, but now Crystal will be moving in, too. I want to do a thorough cleaning before she arrives. It would probably be good to go through the closet too, because Crystal will need some space for her clothes and things. She told me that she’s renting a storage unit, but we can’t have her living out of a suitcase for two months. I want her to be able to hang up her clothes and put her things in one of the bathroom drawers, so I don’t have to see her suitcase sitting out all the time.

  Gratitudes:

  I am grateful for the opportunity to support Crystal during her career transition.

  I am grateful for my freedom and independence.

  I am grateful that Crystal does not have a small dog or other pets that could ruin my furniture.

  Text Messages, September 24

  Mom

  How is your day going?

  Crystal

  Fine, just planning for the move.

  Mom

  Anything I can do to help?

  Crystal

  I’ve got it, thanks.

  Mom

  I’ll be here if you need anything!!

  Crystal

  Thanks :)

  Mom

  Love you SO MUCH <3

  Crystal

  Love you too :)

  Text Messages, September 29

  Mom

  Looking forward to the move tomorrow!!!

  Crystal

  Yep it’s getting close. :)

  Mom

  Any special food/snacks you need?

  Crystal

  I’m fine thanks.

  Mom

  Yes, I’m sure the non-perishables will survive the trip. We can always go to the grocery the first day if there’s anything you’re missing.

  Crystal

  Thanks, I’m sure what you have will be fine. :)

  Mom

  Ok, I love you! Have a great day!!!

  Crystal

  You too :)

  Return to the Tower, Page 28

  Rapunzel cast a long look back at the palace.

  “You’ll be back before you know it,” said Dame Gothel. “It’s just a little hiccup, that’s all.”

  Rapunzel nodded, but she wasn’t so sure. Yesterday, she’d been in the midst of planning a royal wedding, but today, the prince was a stranger. Now that some of the numbness had worn off, she longed for an explanation for his sudden change of heart, but Rapunzel wasn’t sure she’d ever get one. He didn’t owe her anything. He was no longer her William. He was the prince, and she was just a commoner, skulking out of the servants’ entrance with little more than the clothes on her back.

  “My poor girl,” said Dame Gothel, pulling Rapunzel in for a hug. “He still loves you, I’m sure of it.”

  Rapunzel’s eyes prickled with tears. She had been so worried that her mother would be angry, but Dame Gothel had only said, “How could I ever be angry with my daughter?”

  “Let’s get you home, then,” she said, now helping Rapunzel into the hired carriage.

  The wooden seat felt cold and rough beneath her skirts, a stark reminder of her upbringing. This is where I belong, thought Rapunzel. I’m no princess.

  The carriage jerked forward and rounded a corner, hiding the castle from view.

  Dame Gothel beamed up at Rapunzel. “Everything in the tower is just as you like it,” she said. “I’ve washed and pressed your bed linens, and I had your harp tuned. I found currants at the market so we can make those cookies you love – we’ll have so much fun!”

  Rapunzel smiled back at her, but her heart wasn’t in it. Dame Gothel’s enthusiasm should’ve been comforting, but instead it felt suffocating. Rapunzel was a commoner, and, by all rights, she had no place at the prince’s side. And yet, for a few blissful weeks, she had it all. And it was impossible to pretend that things could go back to the way they were. Dame Gothel was right – the currant cookies had been Rapunzel’s favorite – but that was before she tasted pastries fit for a king.

  It will have to be enough, Rapunzel decided. I was happy enough before, so I can be happy here again.

  Dame Gothel chatted the whole way home, but Rapunzel barely heard her. When they finally pulled up outside the stone tower, Rapunzel stepped out of the carriage and gazed up at the window where she had once let her hair down for the prince who had stolen her heart.

  “It’s smaller than I remember,” she murmured.

  Realizing that it might sound insulting, she glanced at Dame Gothel, but she appeared not to have heard her.

  “I’ll put on the kettle,” Dame Gothel said. “I’ve got your favorite chamomile tea and wildflower honey.”

  Chamomile. Her mot
her always made it the same way, steeped to a shimmering golden color with a spoonful of honey. As a child, Rapunzel had delighted in it, but as she grew older, it seemed sickeningly sweet. She never had the heart to tell Dame Gothel, but when she was at the palace, Rapunzel had taken her tea without honey or sugar, and had grown fond of the complexities of the unsweetened flavor.

  Rapunzel would have preferred the tea plain, but she knew the trouble and expense of procuring the tea and honey on her mother’s modest income.

  “Chamomile sounds lovely,” said Rapunzel.

  Dame Gothel beamed with pride, and Rapunzel knew she’d answered correctly.

  “Welcome home, dear,” said Dame Gothel.

  Boople Chat, Mon Oct 2 10:13 AM

  Crystal

  heya

  Lisa

  hey! how’s it going?

  Crystal

  i’m alright

  Crystal

  how are you?

  Lisa

  good

  Lisa

  i’m managing some community relations :)

  Crystal

  how delightfully…vague

  Lisa

  i can’t say much now, but hopefully i can before long

  Lisa

  if you sign an NDA i might be able to get you into a user test

  Crystal

  really? that'd be awesome

  Crystal

  wait, it’s not for a nose hair trimmer or something, is it?

  Lisa

  nope, i think you’ll like this one

  Crystal

  ok cool

  Lisa

  how did it go yesterday?

  Crystal

  well most of david’s stuff is now in a storage unit in marina del rey

  Crystal

  and mine is crammed into mom’s apartment

  Crystal

  moving was a pain, but at least it’s down to unpacking now

  Lisa

  :)

  Lisa

  how’s mom?

  Crystal

  oh the usual

  Crystal

  she texted me fifteen times already today

  Crystal

  more random photos and whatnot

  Lisa

  she’s excited, then?

  Crystal

  yeah

  Crystal

  it’s really nice of her to let me crash here, so i don’t want to complain too much

  Crystal

  but i won’t get any writing done if i have to keep answering texts every 10 minutes

  Lisa

  yeah

  Crystal

  i wish i didn’t feel like such a failure

  Lisa

  aw, what do you mean?

  Crystal

  back in july, i was going to set boundaries

  Crystal

  talk to mom once a week and all that

  Crystal

  and now here i am, living with her

  Lisa

  it’s for your novel

  Crystal

  i know, but i can’t shake the feeling that david would disapprove

  Lisa

  well he’s not here, is he?

  Crystal

  no

  Crystal

  oh god, do you think he’s seeing other girls?

  Lisa

  he’s been gone for months and this just now occurs to you?

  Crystal

  hey easy to say when you’re married

  Lisa

  sorry

  Lisa

  he’s still emailing you, right?

  Crystal

  sort of

  Lisa

  did he say anything about being exclusive?

  Crystal

  not in so many words

  Lisa

  you might have to ask him, then

  Crystal

  because that wouldn’t be awkward to ask over email AT ALL

  Lisa

  well it’s not like you can just call him

  Crystal

  TRUE

  Lisa

  i’ve got a meeting in a few minutes

  Crystal

  ok

  Lisa

  but before i go

  Lisa

  don’t let david or anyone else make you feel like a failure

  Lisa

  it’s ok to rely on other people sometimes

  Lisa

  that’s what mom and i are here for

  Crystal

  aw thanks

  Crystal

  ttyl then

  Lisa

  :)

  Text messages, October 4

  Mom

  Guess who came in for a cleaning today?

  Crystal

  Who?

  Mom

  Gladys Rickles!!!

  Crystal

  ?

  Mom

  She’s a friend of your Grandma’s. They used to play bridge back in Northfield.

  Crystal

  Ah ok

  Mom

  She used to just come to San Diego for the winter but now she’s a full-time Californian! Isn’t that a crazy coincidence?

  Crystal

  Yep :)

  Mom

  How’s your Wednesday?

  Crystal

  Fine, just working on my novel

  Mom

  Sounds like fun!

  Crystal

  Yep

  Mom

  Ok my lunch break is over, talk to you later!

  Mom

  I love you!

  Crystal

  Love you too

  Email, October 8

  From: Dr. Thomas Jackson

  To: Margot Hemmingway

  Subject: Prophy Jet training materials

  Hi Margot,

  Attached are the Prophy Jet training materials. Please review these over the weekend, as we will begin offering this service to clients starting Monday. As a friendly reminder, we’ll use traditional polish on patients with porcelain veneers, as the Prophy Jet can damage the glaze.

  Keep Smiling,

  Dr. Jackson

  Email, October 8

  From: Crystal Hemmingway

  To: David Richards

  Subject: New apartment

  Hi David,

  Just wanted to let you know that I gave up the old place. I put your stuff in a storage unit in Marina Del Rey. I’ve attached the rental agreement to this email. If you show them a photo ID, you should have access to your stuff.

  I’m living with a roommate at the moment, but I don’t think it’ll be a long-term situation, so I’ll forward you the address when I’m settled somewhere more permanently.

  Hope your hike is going well.

  Best,

  Crystal

  P.S. Sorry to even ask this, but are we still on a break?

  P.P.S. Does “break” mean we’re still exclusive?

  P.P.P.S. Not that I’m interested in anyone else right now…just asking.

  Email, October 8

  From: David Richards

  To: Crystal Hemmingway

  Subject: Re: New apartment

  Hi Crystal,

  It’s great to hear from you! I just got caught up on all your emails. My internet access has been sporadic at best, so I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch for so long.

  I’m so sorry about the rent money. I called the bank today and it sounds like the transfer never went through. There must’ve been a mix-up when I tried to send it from Canada.

  I went ahead and transferred money directly to your account for August, September, and October rent, plus a little extra for late payments, etc. I included $300 for the storage unit as well. Will that cover it until December?

  Again, I’m so sorry about the rent issues. If I’d known it was lost, I would’ve contact
ed you sooner.

  -David

  P.S. Yes I think the best way to describe this is “a break.” I don’t think that means we’re exclusive, but I’m looking inward right now (not dating or seeing anyone).

  Text messages, October 9

  Mom

  If you’re still at the grocery store, can you please get me some coconut milk?

  Crystal

  what size?

  Mom

  The canned one

  Crystal

  oh i was looking at refrigerated…hang on

  Crystal

  regular or light?

  Mom

  Light

  Mom

  And organic, if they have it

  Crystal

  ok

  Mom

  Oh can you also get me some cheddar crackers?

  Crystal

  yes

  Mom

  And yeast and sea salt and artichoke hearts?

  Crystal

  there are 50 different kinds of cheddar crackers

  Mom

  I meant duck-shaped ones, they’re organic

  Mom

  But the cheddar rabbits are good too

  Mom

  Probably best to get both

  Crystal

  i don’t see the ducks or the rabbits

  Crystal

  i’m going to call it’ll be easier

  Mom

  Ok :)

  Email, October 11

  From: Margot Hemmingway

  To: Peggy Hemmingway

  Subject: Re: HHHA Fundraiser Photos

  Dear Mother,

  Thanks for your note. I’m sorry, but I haven’t had time to look for the photos of past San Diego HHHA holiday fundraisers. Dr. Jackson is having us use a new salt water tooth polishing system, and I spent the whole weekend training up on it.

  Glad that you were able to book Hettie’s daughter as the caterer. Her website seems very professional, and her menu seems to offer many crowd-pleasing choices.