It’s almost 3am here. I’m in Iris’s spare bedroom, staring at the ceiling, worrying about my family. Maybe I am turning into an insomniac like you.
What keeps you up at night?
Lily
FROM: N.R. Strickland <[email protected]>
TO: Lily G. <[email protected]>
DATE: October 13, 3:06am
SUBJECT: Re: I’m alive
Lily, I’m really sorry to hear that your sister and niece are struggling. They’re really lucky to have you there with them and I hope things get better soon.
To answer your question about my insomnia, it started when I was young, maybe around nine or so. I was alone a lot at night, so I mostly stayed awake because I was afraid. But when I couldn’t sleep, I read. I didn’t have money to buy books, so I read anything I could get my hands on at the library. My favorite book was probably A Wrinkle in Time. I checked it out so often, the librarian at my school ended up buying a copy for me, which was kind of her but simultaneously made me feel like a charity case. Either way, the escapism saved me.
You said you read a lot when you were younger too. What did you read? Maybe you should try to read for a while. It might help you fall asleep.
——Strick
FROM: Lily G. <[email protected]> TO: N.R. Strickland <[email protected]>
DATE: October 13, 3:21am
SUBJECT: Re: I’m alive
My favorite book was Ella Enchanted. I felt like Ella when I was younger, like I had to do everything my parents and sisters said. Violet and Iris are the opposite of evil stepsisters. They’re the best sisters in the world. It’s just by comparison, I came up short, and I still do. I used to think something was wrong with me because I wasn’t into clubs and sports like they were, and I wasn’t a great student either. Nothing about me was particularly exceptional. But whenever I was reading, I didn’t think about that. The escapism saved me too. I guess we have that in common.
I do have a few e-books saved on my phone. I’ll take your advice and read for a while.
Not to make it awkward, but I want to tell you how much I appreciate being your （virtual） friend. You’ve been a confidant for the last five months, which sounds so silly because we’ve never met, and I don’t even know what you look like. But maybe that’s the magic of it. We’re two strangers who mutually decided to show each other some kindness. I feel less alone, knowing that you’re only an email away.
As always, thank you for listening.
FROM: N.R. Strickland <[email protected]>
TO: Lily G. <[email protected]>
DATE: October 13, 3:27am
SUBJECT: Re: I’m alive
Lily, I feel the same. As I said before, you’re the only person I regularly correspond with other than my boss and literary agent, and I have to admit that your emails bring me much more joy than theirs. In my line of work, I meet strangers all the time, and once we get to know each other well, I have to leave. It’s funny that we’ve never met, but our connection has endured.
P.S.—I’m in Vilnius, Lithuania. Not sure where I’m headed next, still waiting on that assignment. Here’s a picture of Vilnius’s Cathedral Square. I thought the buildings were striking. I immediately felt at peace in that space. I hope that looking at this picture can do the same for you.
FROM: Lily G. <[email protected]>
TO: N.R. Strickland <[email protected]>
DATE: November 28, 9:51pm
SUBJECT: Happy Thanksgiving
Hi Strick,
It’s Thanksgiving Day here in North America. I’ve been cooking and baking with my mom and sisters all day.
Where are you? How are you?
XO,
Lily
P.S.—Thank you for sending the picture of the Cathedral Square. I looked at it several times over the last month, and it did bring me peace.
FROM: N.R. Strickland <[email protected]> TO: Lily G. <[email protected]>
DATE: November 28, 11:22pm
SUBJECT: Re: Happy Thanksgiving
Lily—
It’s so good to hear from you. I’m in Plzeň, Czech Republic. I’ve been getting to know a couple who work at the Pilsner Urquell brewery （home of the pilsner beer; have you ever tried it?） What did you bake? How are you doing?
——Strick
FROM: Lily G. <[email protected]>
TO: N.R. Strickland <[email protected]>
DATE: November 30, 1:34am
SUBJECT: Re: Happy Thanksgiving
Hi Strick,
Last night I fell asleep right after writing to you. I guess that’s what happens when you eat seconds of Thanksgiving dinner and finish it with pie. （I baked every pie: apple cinnamon, pumpkin and sweet potato.） It was the first full night of sleep I’ve had in months.