Why was today a shit day?
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day My youngest sister had a guinea pig growing up （named Freckles, I figure pet names are exempt from the name rules, also she died like 7 years ago and has no online presence） and the rest of us were deeply uninterested in holding Freckles or having anything to do with her. But then we realized Sister #3 was allergic and instead of finding another home for her, our parents moved Freckles into Sister #2’s room, and even years later Sister #2’s room smells like rodent bedding. This injustice has been brought up at many a family dinner.
Anyway, I get that feeling of pressure about choosing a major immediately. I came in thinking I knew what I wanted to do and pivoted last year （sophomore） to something related but different, and it was fine. I feel like there’s this expectation that you’ll come in at 18 and know exactly what it is you’ll do for the rest of your life, but it isn’t realistic. Luckily my three sisters went through it first and reassured me that it didn’t matter that much. Do it at your own pace.
And today was shitty because I ended things with the girl I was seeing, and one of my sisters was in a car accident. She’s okay, but banged up, and it sucks not being home for that stuff.
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Shit I told you I have three sisters. I hope I have not broken the rules per D&P.
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day It’s fine, I told you I have a younger brother. But omg that’s scary about the car accident. I totally get wanting to be home for that stuff. I have a little bit of a similar situation here. My mom is fine but had a lumpectomy in November for Stage I breast cancer, and it sucked not being there. Winter break was good for some Mom cuddles and hang time, but then coming back here where it’s freezing is hard.
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Oh man, T, I’m sorry about your mom. I hope she makes a full recovery. How are you holding up?
And yeah, the weather is a rough transition, isn’t it?
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Thanks, C, I’m doing okay. Just trying to be helpful to her as much as possible. It looks like she will be okay, we caught it early.
And wait—did you break up with a girl the day before Valentine’s Day? You couldn’t give it 48 hours?
From: [email protected] To: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day I did. I know. A dick move. But she got 4 more months than she should have, according to my friends.
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Oh was she mean to my friend c.sun16? Do I have a beef with this woman now?
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day It wasn’t the healthiest relationship I’ve ever been in, I’ll say that. As one of my sisters reminded me, it’s always good to recognize what doesn’t work for me. So it’s all good.
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day It is all good. You get to be your own valentine today. Just like me. How’s this: let’s both go find a soup dumpling place and enjoy the hell out of it.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
T.
From: [email protected]
Date: February 14, 2019
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Perfect. I’ll eat a saucy, steamy dumpling in your honor.
Have a good one, T. See you back here next year, C.
Chapter Seven
2020
From: [email protected]
Date: February 15, 2020
Subject: Happy Valentine’s Day?
Oh my god we both forgot. There will be no victor this year.
From: [email protected]
Date: February 15, 2020
Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?
Oh noooooo, we suck! This makes me so sad!
I mean, to be fair, it’s a weird vibe right now? I’m not sure where you are, but things where I am are feeling . . . a little stressful.