• INTERLUDE •

MARCH 1

FRIDAY 6:20 PM

Did you get your paper done, sweetheart? It's due today, right?

FRIDAY 11:17 PM

I did! (Sorry, I didn't see your message earlier because I was working on it.) I just submitted it.

FRIDAY 11:21 PM

Online, I assume? You're not taking night classes, are you?

FRIDAY 11:22 PM

LOL, no.

I mean, no to the night classes. Yes, I submitted online. It's due by midnight so, it's on time?

FRIDAY 11:24 PM

Is that a question? ;)

FRIDAY 11:25 PM

No, Daddy. I mean, it's due at midnight, so it's on time!

FRIDAY 11:26 PM

***

Good job, sweetheart. I'm proud of you.

FRIDAY 11:27 PM

Thank you, Daddy.

FRIDAY 11:28 PM

I'd say you should get to bed, but I guess you don't have classes tomorrow, is that right?

FRIDAY 11:28 PM

Right. So, um, if you want to chat for a while I'm free.

FRIDAY 11:32 PM

I'd love to, but I'm already nodding off. It was a long day.

FRIDAY 11:33 PM

Oh, ok! Um, good night, then.

FRIDAY 11:35 PM

Good night.

MARCH 16

SATURDAY 11:42 AM

Fun plans this weekend?

SATURDAY 12:26 PM

Sorry! I was in the shower, and the water turned orange!

SATURDAY 12:33 PM

It sounds like the pipes might be rusty. You should tell your landlord.

SATURDAY 12:34 PM

Ugh, I am the landlord :(

I mean, I don't own the house! My parents do. But I'm supposed to take care of stuff like that.

SATURDAY 12:35 PM

Plumbing?

SATURDAY 12:36 PM

Yeah.

I mean, not like, doing it myself. I don't know how. But hiring people and stuff.

SATURDAY 12:37 PM

Then I suggest you hire someone ;)

I'm sorry if that's overstepping. I'm sure you were planning to.

SATURDAY 12:38 PM

You're not overstepping! I mean, I like it. The advice, I mean.

I am planning on hiring someone. I just have to get my roommates to pay their rent first, so I can.

SATURDAY 12:40 PM

They're late on the rent?

SATURDAY 12:40 PM

Always :(

I mean, I don't mean to whine about it. They've got their reasons, I guess? I'm just not very good at being pushy.

SATURDAY 12:42 PM

Assertive, not pushy. And if they're living there, they need to pay on time.

SATURDAY 12:43 PM

I know. Sorry.

SATURDAY 12:44 PM

Sweetheart, I'm not berating you. I meant to encourage you.

SATURDAY 12:45 PM

It's just hard to bring it up with them sometimes. I don't know what to say.

SATURDAY 12:46 PM

Would you like some ideas?

SATURDAY 12:47 PM

Yes, please!

MARCH 18

Monday 4:21 PM

Daddy! I collected all the rent!!!

MONDAY 6:50 PM

I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. Good job!

MONDAY 6:59 PM

Oh hi :)

MONDAY 7:05 PM

Hi :)

MONDAY 7:06 PM

Did you just get home from work?

Sorry, that's none of my business.

It's just that I thought you were usually done by now, but if you were out doing, um, other stuff, I'm not trying to be nosy.

MONDAY 7:10 PM

I did just get home from work, and you can always ask me anything, sweetheart.

MONDAY 7:11 PM

Ok!

Um, long day?

MONDAY 7:15 PM

Very long.

There was an accident on the job site.

MONDAY 7:16 PM

Oh my God!!! Are you ok?

I mean, is everyone ok???

MONDAY 7:17 PM

Yes.

Thank you.

It was just property damage, and it was due to a bad site report from the assessor's office.

MONDAY 7:18 PM

I don't know what that means.

MONDAY 7:19 PM

It means it wasn't our fault, but it's still a pain in the ass and will put us behind. :)

MONDAY 7:20 PM

Oh. I'm sorry.

MONDAY 7:29 PM

Thank you. I need to hop in the shower. My partner is coming over for a beer so we can bitch to each other about it, then figure out how to move things around and make the timetable work, so I probably won't be available the rest of the night.

MONDAY 7:20 PM

Ok.

I hope everything works out.

MONDAY 11:08 PM

Good night, Daddy.

APRIL 1

TUESDAY 5:18 AM

Good morning, sweetheart. You're probably still in bed, but I wanted to apologize for being crabby last night. I hope you have a good day, and good luck with the test you mentioned!

TUESDAY 9:01 AM

Thank you! I think I might actually be prepared for the test? We'll see!

And please don't apologize for last night. It sounds super stressful, and you weren't crabby.

I mean, not to me.

You're always nice to me :)

Like, seriously, you're kind of the nicest person I know.

Tuesday 2:12 PM

Daddy, I think I aced the test!!!

TUESDAY 4:32 PM

Good job, sweetheart! I'm so proud of you. :)

And you really are a sweetheart. Thank you for saying such kind things. Yesterday was stressful, but Juan and I have it under control now, and it's going to be fine.

TUESDAY 4:40 PM

I'm so glad to hear that :)

Um, so… Juan is the partner you mentioned?

TUESDAY 4:42 PM

Yes. We own the company together.

TUESDAY 4:42 PM

Oh, because you said partner yesterday so I didn't know what that meant but you meant business partner!

TUESDAY 4:43 PM

***

That's right. Business partner. I love him, but we really wouldn't work out any other way.

TUESDAY 4:43 PM

Good.

I mean, that's great!

That you get along so well. That's what I meant.

With your business partner, because that probably makes business work a lot better, right?

Sorry, I've got to go. There's this artisan pizza place my roommates are obsessed with and it's a whole thing.

TUESDAY 4:45 PM

Artisan? Sounds fancy. Have a good time!

TUESDAY 4:46 PM

Thanks :) They mostly go there for the hot waitresses I think. I'll send you a pic!

TUESDAY 4:48 PM

Hot waitresses aren't really my speed, but have fun ;)

TUESDAY 4:55 PM

I meant a pic of the pizza.

WEDNESDAY 12:02 AM

Good night, Daddy.

APRIL 10

WEDNESDAY 5:10 PM

I got the lunch pictures, and yes, technically potatoes are vegetables, but I meant green ones.

WEDNESDAY 5:12 PM

Sorry! I was in a hurry and french fries were faster.

WEDNESDAY 5:15 PM

No need to apologize. You're a grown man who can eat what you want. I'm just suggesting that you might have more energy if you add in a few GREEN vegetables to your diet.

WEDNESDAY 5:16 PM

Ok

I know.

I just forget, but I could definitely use more energy.

WEDNESDAY 5:30 PM

Then maybe you'll also let me suggest trying to get to sleep a little earlier? At least when you have class the next morning.

WEDNESDAY 5:32 PM

It's hard :(

WEDNESDAY 5:33 PM

Just a suggestion.

WEDNESDAY 5:34 PM

Ok. I just forget.

I mean, I get busy.

Actually, I don't know what happens. It's just suddenly midnight and I'm still awake even though I know I have to get up early!

WEDNESDAY 5:40 PM

If it would help, I can make it more than a suggestion.

WEDNESDAY 5:41 PM

What do you mean?

WEDNESDAY 5:41 PM

We could have… an agreement. To help you take better care of yourself.

WEDNESDAY 5:42 PM

How?

WEDNESDAY 5:45 PM

By eating a little healthier, and getting to bed a little earlier.

WEDNESDAY 5:46 PM

Well, I mean, I do agree I should. I just don't know how.

WEDNESDAY 5:50 PM

What if we made a rule that you eat one green vegetable per day, and that you set an alarm for 9 pm on school nights, as a reminder to wrap up what you're working on and get ready for bed?

WEDNESDAY 5:46 PM

Oh, that's smart.

But what if I forget the vegetable?

WEDNESDAY 5:47 PM

I don't think you will. You're a good boy. And you can send me a picture every day when you do it, so I can remind you of that fact :)

WEDNESDAY 5:48 PM

Every day? I don't want to be a bother.

WEDNESDAY 5:49 PM

You're never a bother. You're a ray of sunshine.

WEDNESDAY 5:49 PM

Me?

WEDNESDAY 5:50 PM

***

No, the other sweet boy who texts me good night every day.

WEDNESDAY 5:51 PM

Ha!

But, um, is there another boy? I mean, you like to be called Daddy. Do you have a lot of, um, people call you that?

WEDNESDAY 5:52 PM

No. Not right now.

But if you'd rather I not interfere and give you rules to follow, please say so and I'll back off. I only want to help.

WEDNESDAY 5:53 PM

You do help!

I can follow those rules.

Thank you, Daddy.

WEDNESDAY 5:55 PM

You're welcome, sweetheart.

Did you set the alarm?

WEDNESDAY 5:58 PM

Oh God, I already forgot.

Sorry!!!

I'll do better.

WEDNESDAY 5:59 PM

I know.

Did you do it now?

WEDNESDAY 6:00 PM

Yes.

WEDNESDAY 6:01 PM

Good boy :)

WEDNESDAY 6:02 PM

:)

WEDNESDAY 9:40 PM

Good night, Daddy.

WEDNESDAY 9:50 PM

Good night, sweetheart -xo

APRIL 23

TUESDAY 8:34 PM

You got 98%. I'm so proud of you!

TUESDAY 8:35 PM

Thank you :)

I'm kind of proud of me too?

I just mean, maybe I really will make it to veterinary school.

TUESDAY 8:40 PM

I don't doubt it for a minute. What made you want to be a vet?

TUESDAY 8:42 PM

Thank you, Daddy :)

Um, I was always asking for pets but my parents thought they'd be too much trouble, so I used to sneak over to our neighbor's as often as I could, because he had a dog.

Her name was Molly.

The dog, not the neighbor. His name was Mr. Clyde.

Well, Clyde Wilson, actually, but he was super old and I was just a kid, so he told me to call him Mr. Clyde.

Anyway, sorry. You don't need all those details.

TUESDAY 8:50 PM

Need? Maybe not. But want? Always. :) What kind of dog was Molly?

TUESDAY 8:51 PM

She was a beagle, and she was older than Mr. Clyde in dog years! But so sweet. But also kind of sick? And I was always begging him to take her to the doctor so she could feel better, but he never would, and it broke my heart, but I knew I couldn't talk back to him, but I also couldn't understand it?

He was a really nice guy too, so I finally decided he just couldn't afford it, and that's why he kept saying no. So I decided *I* would become a doctor so I could fix her for free.

Which was dumb, obviously, because I didn't even know it was "veterinarian," not doctor, and she wasn't sick in a way that could be cured, she was just old. That's why Mr. Clyde wouldn't take her to the vet anymore. Not that he couldn't afford it, but he just knew they'd already done everything he could for her.

Anyway, obviously she's long gone now and if I ever manage to become a vet, I still won't be able to fix "old".

But maybe I can still help a little :)

TUESDAY 8:59 PM

That's not dumb, sweetheart. Not even close.

TUESDAY 9:01 PM

My alarm just went off to remind me to get ready for bed :)

TUESDAY 9:02 PM

Good. You've got that 7 a.m class tomorrow morning, right?

TUESDAY 9:03 PM

Ugh, yes.

TUESDAY 9:04 PM

Then you'd better get some sleep.

TUESDAY 9:05 PM

But now I want to know how you got interested in construction!

And how you met Juan!

And what happened with that building you said you guys were going to bid on, the eco-friendly one?

TUESDAY 9:06 PM

Ok :) Tomorrow.

TUESDAY 9:07 PM

But… Daddy!!! I just told you my whole thing!

TUESDAY 9:09 PM

Are you whining?

TUESDAY 9:10 PM

No!

Sorry.

I'll be good and go get ready for bed.

Even though my roommates kind of make fun of me since I'm usually in bed by 10 now like an old man.

No offense. ;)

TUESDAY 9:12 PM

***

Are you calling me old?

TUESDAY 9:13 PM

Nooooooooo

TUESDAY 9:14 PM

And are you still exhausted during the day, or do you have enough energy to keep up with your schoolwork now, so you can get the grades you need for veterinary school?

TUESDAY 9:15 PM

Um, the second one.

You're right.

Thank you, Daddy.

TUESDAY 9:16 PM

You're welcome, sweetheart. It's my pleasure to help.

TUESDAY 9:17 PM

It's my pleasure to, uh, be helped?

I mean, sorry. That sounded weird.

Just

I appreciate being, um, friends with you, Daddy. And all the time you take for me. It's really nice of you, and I just really like it so, thank you?

TUESDAY 9:20 PM

Is that a question? ;)

TUESDAY 9:21 PM

OMG no! I mean THANK YOU!!! :D

TUESDAY 9:22 PM

***

You're welcome, baby boy. Truly. Now… go get ready for bed.

And I really like it, too :)

TUESDAY 9:23 PM

:)

TUESDAY 9:55 PM

Good night, Daddy.

TUESDAY 9:56 PM

Good night, sweetheart -xo

MAY 16

THURSDAY 3:07 PM

Hey Daddy, um, I know you're probably still working but I just got home from school and Ryan said there's water in the garage and I think it's coming from the hot water heater?

And that is a question, because it's not pouring out or anything, so I'm not sure, but it seems like it's mostly over there.

And I know I should call a plumber but the house account is almost empty because I just sent in the property tax payment and I looked up some YouTube videos but I'm not sure what to do.

So I know you do big building constructions not, like, put in water heaters, but I didn't know if

If you could tell me what to do.

I'm not sure what to do.

Can we still take showers, do you think?

If you don't know, that's ok. I'll keep looking up stuff online.

Sorry.

THURSDAY 3:20 PM

Hi sweetheart, I'm sure I can help you figure it out. Can you send me a picture?

THURSDAY 3:21 PM

Yes!

Thank you!!!

THURSDAY 3:22 PM

Good boy. I'm proud of you for asking for help.

THURSDAY 3:23 PM

I'm not bothering you?

THURSDAY 3:24 PM

I believe we've had this conversation before, haven't we?

THURSDAY 3:24 PM

Yes, Daddy

THURSDAY 3:25 PM

And?

THURSDAY 3:26 PM

And I'm not a bother.

THURSDAY 3:27 PM

That's right :) What are you?

THURSDAY 3:28 PM

Um

A pest?

THURSDAY 3:29 PM

***

No.

What are you, sweetheart?

THURSDAY 3:30 PM

Ugh, don't make me write the things you say!

I mean, not because they're bad!!! They're not. They're

They're really nice.

But I can't write that about myself.

THURSDAY 3:32 PM

Ok, baby boy. Then let's work on this water heater situation. But just so we're clear, you are the best part of my day, every day. And I'm very, very glad you reached out to me when you needed help.

THURSDAY 3:33 PM

Thank you, Daddy

I don't know what to say to all that. No one's ever said anything like that to me before. But I

I don't know what to say.

THURSDAY 3:34 PM

That's ok, sweetheart. You don't have to say anything at all. Now, send me the picture.

THURSDAY 3:34 pm

Ok

MAY 18

SATURDAY 10:00 AM

Is the garage still dry this morning, baby boy?

SATURDAY 10:11 AM

Yes!

I think?

Um, yes.

Thank you :)

SATURDAY 10:12 AM

Good

I still want you to get a plumber in to look at it.

SATURDAY 10:15 AM

I will! I had to pay for some assessment thing this month, but hopefully soon.

MAY 26

SUNDAY 9:35 PM

I'm super nervous about the final tomorrow, but Tyler and I are going to that pizza place after we take it as a reward… and I told him we have to order a salad, too.

He is *not* excited about that part, LOL.

(But I'm still going to do it, and I'll send you a pic!)

SUNDAY 9:37 PM

***

Good boy ;)

And I think you'll do just fine on the final. You know all the material, you'll be well-rested, and pizza is a great incentive.

Especially if it's artisan ;)

SUNDAY 9:38 PM

Ha! It is. Tyler said if he doesn't bomb the final, he's going to take it as a sign and finally ask the hot waitress out.

SUNDAY 9:39 PM

And what about you? Do you have a reward like that planned too, sweetheart?

SUNDAY 9:40 PM

Yes. Salad.

SUNDAY 9:42 PM

***

SUNDAY 9:43 PM

But actually, um, I'm not into the hot waitresses there. I haven't really wanted to date anyone since my ex-girlfriend broke up with me after Christmas.

I mean, not that it was super painful or anything, but I just haven't wanted to.

SUNDAY 9:44 PM

Then you shouldn't. Not until you're ready.

SUNDAY 9:45 PM

Is that another rule?

SUNDAY 9:46 PM

A suggestion.

SUNDAY 9:47 PM

I don't mind if you make it a rule, LOL.

Sorry, that sounds weird. I just mean that, um, I'm having a salad tomorrow because of your green vegetable rule, and I don't even mind that Tyler makes fun of me because… I like making you proud of me?

I don't know what I'm trying to say. I know dating isn't a salad.

But I'd even eat more salads if you told me to.

(But please don't tell me to.)

I should go to bed.

SUNDAY 9:50 PM

You should. And I am proud of you.

SUNDAY 9:52 PM

Thank you, Daddy.

Good night, Daddy.

SUNDAY 9:55 PM

Good night, sweetheart -xo