I Do, Maybe: A Novella
Page 7
Is that selfish of me? Maybe it is.
Today I met with a career advisor. She said I should aim higher than being a veterinarian. She said my grades are too good to waste on animals and that I should think seriously about being a doctor of medicine; a specialist or surgeon. I’ve never thought about helping people, I’ve always wanted to help animals.
Anyway, I just thought I’d tell you that.
Your Piglet.
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Wednesday 6th May, 2015 20:07
RE: Stay where you are…
Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do when you’re lost? Stay still, take a few deep breaths and get your bearings.
And whatever you do, don’t panic.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a geologist. I loved rocks. And when I say rocks I mean gravel. Our house has a long gravel driveway. I used to sit out on the white stones and move my fingers through them, finding rocks that I thought were special. I filled a two litre glass jar with these “special rocks” and because they were so special I buried them in the yard under the large gum.
When I was eight, we had a real geologist come to school. I was so excited. I dug up my rocks and took my jar to school, proud as punch to be able to show him my collection. When he told me that my rocks were gravel and were worthless, I was devastated. I didn’t want to be a geologist anymore.
I’m nine years younger than my closest brother. I spent the next few weeks watching him work, listening to him talk and negotiate. He seemed to do it so effortlessly. That’s when I knew I wanted to do what had always been expected of me.
If I could do any job in the whole wide world, I’d be what I am, a business man, or child. A business child, soon to be a business man.
Without going into too much detail, I’m already very good at what I do. I’ve already succeeded. But there is more success to be had. And I’m going to work hard to attain it.
Having said that, I reckon being a cruise ship captain would be a pretty cool job, sailing the seas with a ship full of partying holiday goers. And you get to wear a cool hat.
So my little Piglet, take a few more deep breaths. Enjoy school. You’re still young; you have plenty of time to think about your career.
Your Eeyore.
*****
I was into my second year at The Woods boarding school. I was enjoying my time, although the weekends were difficult, especially when Kat wasn’t around to keep me company. After that horrible night at her house, I’d never accepted an invitation to go back and I never invited her to stay at my apartment, although we did meet up a lot in the city to go shopping or see movies or to just hang around.
It was a particularly wet Saturday night. I was home alone in my apartment, looking as the rain fall against the glass windows of my apartment. I picked up my phone and sent a text to Fraser.
Are you busy?
My phone rang a few minutes later. It was Fraser.
“What’s up, Piglet?” There was a lot of background noise.
“Nothing, are you at a party?”
“Yeah, it’s my brother’s birthday.”
“Oh, okay. Well I won’t keep you. Have a good night.”
“Tell me what’s up?”
“It’s nothing really. I just needed to hear a friendly voice.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, well…” I stood up and went to the window and looked out at the blinking lights. “Mum didn’t want me to go home this weekend. She actually said she and Dad were too busy.” The background noise through the phone got quieter and quieter until I couldn’t hear any noise anymore. “I just…I…I don’t know.”
“Are you okay Em?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes it’s hard being away. I…sometimes it’s lonely.” I feel a lump forming in my throat. “Anyway, thanks for listening, you should get back to your brothers party.”
“Did you hear the joke about the Irish guy who drowned in a vat of Guinness?”
“Umm, no.”
“It would’ve been a quick death except he had to get out three times to pee.”
A smile formed on my face and I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped my lips. “Very funny.”
“They get better. Paddy and Seamus are walking down the street and Paddy says, ‘if you can guess how many donuts are in my bag, you can have them both.’”
I laugh again. I went back to the couch and relaxed into the soft cushions, my earlier melancholy forgotten. The Irish jokes went on and on. And they did get funnier.
After a while, Fraser stopped telling jokes and asked me if I was feeling better.
“Much better, thank you,” I replied laughing.
“You know you’re free to have Kat and any other girls over to your apartment for the weekends. No boys though.”
“I know, thanks.”
“Hey Em, why wasn’t Jesus born in Ireland?”
“Why?”
“Because god couldn’t find three wise men.”
*****
“How was your weekend?” I asked Kat as we met in our dorm room before class. I knew she had spent the weekend at her family holiday house in the mountains.
“Good, it rained all weekend though.”
I put my phone onto my charger. “Are you busy next weekend?”
“Nope.” She picked up her lap top.
“Do you want to spend the weekend at my place? I need to get a haircut but we can go shopping or something?”
“Yeah, that sounds good. I’ll have to check with my mum though, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.” She grabbed her bag from her bed. “If you want to come to my house you can. I’ll make sure none of my brother’s friends come over.”
I shook my head. “I think it would be easier if you came to my place.”
“Okay.” She hugged me quickly before she left for class.
It was more than fine with Mrs. Gold, so Friday after school, Kat joined me as Greg drove us back to the apartment. I’d emailed Fraser to let him know Kat was staying the weekend. I also let Georgiana know. She always prepared enough food for me so I didn’t have to cook for myself. She said she’d be more than happy to prepare an extra serving for Kat.
Kat told me on the drive to my apartment that her family and the Lewis’ are somehow in business together, although she’s not sure how exactly. Her father and Mr. Lewis know each other well and that the Gold’s get invited and attend Mrs. Lewis’ annual ball every New Year’s Eve.
“So you know Fraser?” I ask her.
“Yeah, I met him this last New Year for the first time. He’s nice.”
“Yeah he is.”
“He’s cute too, in a boyish kind of way.”
“That’s because he is a boy, Kat. If he was cute in a girlish kind of way, that’d be weird.”
“That’d make you a lesbian,” Kat laughed.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I said for what felt like the hundredth time.
“Yes I know, you’re just a family friend.”
Greg escorted Kat and I up to my apartment, carrying our bags for us. He always did, even though I insisted I could do it alone. When we entered the apartment, a strange and unusual noise echoed through the apartment. It was a rhythmic deep popping sound, it was strangely calming.
“What’s that sound?” I ask, looking at Greg.
“You’ve had a delivery this week. It’s in the lounge room.”
I walk through the short entry and into the lounge room. Up against the far wall, almost its entire length was an aquarium; fish and plants and rocks and a sunken ship expelling large bubbles. The tank was huge and it sat on a solid dark wood stand.
“Who did this?” I ask as I walk toward the tank.
Kat scoffed. “I bet it was your not-boyfriend-just-friend.”
Not even Kats sarcasm couldn’t make the smile leave my face. “It’s beautiful,” I said.
Greg excused himself as I stood staring at the fish. I couldn’t
pull my eyes away from the brilliance of the colours and variety of fish. Bright blues and yellows and oranges. Stripes and swirls of colour.
Kat appeared next to me. “It’s kinda cool.”
“Yeah it is,” I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.
Fraser answered expecting my call. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” I said still smiling.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of you being all alone talking to yourself like a crazy old lady so now you can talk to your fish.”
I laughed. “Because that makes me less crazy.”
“Yeah, it’s one step up from talking to cats.”
I laughed again. “Thank you Fraser. It’s really beautiful.”
“You need to name the fish, but the big blue one, with the yellow stripes, he’s mine. You have to look after him for me. His name is Big Blue.”
“Okay.” Then I frowned. “How on earth do I look after them? What do I have to do?”
“Feed them once over the weekend. Georgiana will feed them while you’re away. I’ve arranged for a guy from the aquarium shop to come by every two weeks to clean the tank, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Okay,” my smile returned. “Thanks Fraser, I really love it.”
“That’s okay. Hey, can you send me a picture of it?”
“Yeah, I’ll do it now.”
“Cool, have a good weekend.”
“You too Fraser, thanks again. Bye.”
I took a few photos and sent them to Fraser, and I still stood staring at the tank. It calmed me. The way the fish moved and the bubbles sounded. It was tranquil.
I became aware of Kat staring at me. “As thrilling as this is, I was thinking maybe we could do something a little more Friday night-ish. Like seeing a movie or going bowling.”
“Yeah,” I sighed. I blinked a few times and came back to the present. “Sure, bowling then a movie.”
*****
From: Emily Watkins
To: Fraser Lewis
Sent: Tuesday 14th July, 2015 10:25
RE: Bizarre Winter Fact
Did you know that it is completely possible to get sun stroke after spending a day at the snow? I can tell you it is.
My first two days were great fun. I got lessons as you suggested and surprisingly I picked up the whole snowboarding thing very easily. My female instructor said I was a natural. By the afternoon of day two, Kat and I were on our own. Well not entirely, her brothers were never too far away.
While the first two days were overcast and it snowed, yesterday the sun shone and it actually felt warm, although the top temperature was 1 degree. I got sunburnt, my nose has blistered. It hurts and my entire body feels like it’s about to combust from the heat. Anyway, I’m drinking lots of water and applying cool aloe gel from the fridge.
Thank you so much for giving me this holiday. You’re really very generous.
How are you enjoying Bali? I hope you haven’t succumbed to the dreaded Bali Belly.
Piglet.
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Wednesday 15th July, 2015 20:07
RE: Rookie Mistake
Remember, on top of mountains you’re closer to the sun so sunburn can occur just as easily as when you’re lounging by the bay, if not easier. :) I’m glad you’re enjoying your holiday. I hope the Gold’s are looking after you.
I haven’t yet succumbed to Bali Belly and am unlikely to; I have a strong constitution. I never get sick. Yesterday we went white water rafting then spent the afternoon getting massages on the beach. Life is hard!
Take care on the slopes.
Eeyore.
*****
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Tuesday 12th January, 2016 13:25
RE: Spending
Emily
I couldn’t help but notice that a large sum of money was spent at an exclusive lingerie store yesterday. Do you care to explain this purchase?
Fraser
Damn it.
“Kat, get in here,” I yelled out.
“What?” she asked.
I showed her the email on my lap top screen.
“Send him a picture of you wearing the cute little red and white checked bra and undies. That’ll give him enough of an explanation.”
“He’s angry. I told you he’d be angry.”
“He’s not angry. Just tell him you needed underwear. Make it sassy.”
From: Emily Watkins
To: Fraser Lewis
Sent: Tuesday 12th January, 2016 13:35
RE: Spending
Fraser,
I am currently experiencing an amazingly awesome time of a girl’s life when her body changes and becomes curvy and parts start to protrude and these certain protruding parts need to be contained so that they remain perky. Therefore, I purchased some clothing items, namely bras and knickers (because every girl should wear matching bras and knickers) but there may also have been some sleeping attire to go along with the aforementioned purchases. If I exceeded any limit to my weekly spending allowance, I would be more than happy to reimburse you.
Emily.
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Tuesday 12th January, 2016 13:38
RE: Spending
Emily,
Silence, mouth open wide.
Fraser.
*****
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Wednesday 9th March, 2016 07:12
RE: Diet
Hey Emily,
Do you carbo load before a big swim or run meet? And how do you recover? Do you drink protein shakes?
Fraser
From: Emily Watkins
To: Fraser Lewis
Sent: Wednesday 9th March, 2016 21:00
RE: Diet
I eat carbs at every meal every day because I have a very active life. Three days prior to a big run or swim meet I tend to increase my carb intake and lower my physical activity. Scientific studies show that carb loading is not as effective in women as it is with men but I find what I do works for me, so I’ll stick to it.
In regards to my recovery, I eat a lot of protein the following day. Eggs for breakfast, chicken for lunch and red meat for dinner. I don’t drink protein shakes because they tend to bulk you up and I’m not interested in being bulky. I do take a magnesium supplement though. It helps to relax the muscles.
What made you ask?
Emily
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Wednesday 9th March, 2016 21:24
RE: Diet
Curiosity.
From: Emily Watkins
To: Fraser Lewis
Sent: Wednesday 9th March, 2016 21:32
RE: Diet
Oh, I thought maybe you were planning on making me a dinner.
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Wednesday 9th March, 2016 21:36
RE: Diet
I am a man of many talents however my culinary skills are atrocious. I can tell you right now, you will never see me cooking in the kitchen.
From: Emily Watkins
To: Fraser Lewis
Sent: Wednesday 9th March, 2016 21:39
RE: Diet
Just as well I’m a culinary master. I’ll make sure we’re well fed.
*****
From: Emily Watkins
To: Fraser Lewis
Sent: Thursday 16th June, 2016 19:36
RE: School Dance
Hi Fraser,
Next month our school is getting together with the boys from Stars and Sea (the boy campus) for the junior formal. I was wondering if it would be okay if I attended? We get partnered up by a random draw and it is compulsory to dance two dances with our partners. I need to let the school know by next Friday if I can attend. The dance is held at our school theatre.
Emil
y.
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Thursday 16th June, 2016 19:49
RE: School Dance
I’ll let you know on Wednesday.
I frowned at his response. Seconds later, my email alerted me to a new email.
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Thursday 16th June, 2016 19:50
RE: School Dance
Do you want to go? Do you like dancing?
From: Emily Watkins
To: Fraser Lewis
Sent: Thursday 16th June, 2016 19:53
RE: School Dance
I’m a teenage girl, of course I like dancing. I’d really like to go. I’ll be on my very best behaviour.
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Thursday 16th June, 2016 19:56
RE: School Dance
It’s not your behaviour I’m worried about.
From: Emily Watkins
To: Fraser Lewis
Sent: Thursday 16th June, 2016 19:59
RE: School Dance
I promise I’ll run away from any and all trouble. :)
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Thursday 16th June, 2016 20:03
RE: School Dance
I’ll let you know on Wednesday.
“Why do you need his permission if he’s not your boyfriend?” Kat asked over my shoulder.
I quickly lowered my lap top screen. “I don’t need his permission, I just…” She had me on that one. And I couldn’t think of an excuse. “How is it that you can sneak up on me so well?”
“I’m a master of The Tiptoe.” She smiled and went back to her laptop.
*****
From: Fraser Lewis
To: Emily Watkins
Sent: Wednesday 22nd June, 2016 15:27
RE: School Dance
Hey Emily,
If you’d still like to, you can attend the junior formal. You’ll be partnered with a guy called Brandon Johnston. Curfew is set at 11.00pm and I’ve been informed that a head count will take place at this time. I expect you to be present for this.