Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: New semester

Are you still playing video games?

What does going off the grid mean?

It sounds like you're either avoiding everyone in your life or you're a spy. Do you work for the CIA?

Are you a Ranger like your father? I don't think that's even possible, since you never enlisted.

Will you be able to read all the emails I've sent you and answer them? There's a challenge in there. I bet it's almost impossible to catch up with all the emails you receive when you're gone for months.

How many other emails are piling on top of them that aren't mine? If I were you, I'd close the email account and forget about all the correspondence I received for the past… how many months have you been gone? I'm guessing two.

Remember we discussed the possibility of studying overseas? I'm going to Vienna next semester. By the way, I spoke to the new Dean—the other one was fired for misconduct. I wonder what happened to the condescending asshole?

(Personally, I hate him, and I'm glad he's gone.)

In any case, I discussed my academic life with the new Dean, and she mentioned that I have enough credits to graduate. Can you believe that? We arranged my classes so that by the end of this school year, I can say that I graduated with a couple of majors and three minors. I guess taking all those classes when I lived with my parents paid off. Next year, I'll start my Master's in Special Education. If everything goes as planned, I'll open a music academy before I turn twenty-five.

Write me soon,

Ainsley

To: MasonBradley

From: Ainsley

Subject: Happy Birthday

I'm guessing you're still parked on a couch doing nothing—and ignoring my emails and texts. It's okay.

I'll keep sending you my news. I quit my job at the coffee shop. Next Monday, I start working as a teaching assistant at the preschool close to my apartment. It's just a couple of hours twice a week, but it'll help me with my future, as one of my teachers said when we were talking about my experience.

Be safe,

Ainsley

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day!

Where are you spending it?

I'm going to a Soup Kitchen to volunteer. This time I don't have to deal with delayed flights, jealous boyfriends, or absent parents. It's going to be amazing.

Hugs,

Ainsley

PS I'm thankful for you.

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: Are you home for Christmas?

I'm spending it watching movies. Home Alone isn't as funny as I remember. Yesterday, I realized that I've never been to a real movie theater. That's weird, isn't it? I was reading a biography of a woman who was part of a cult where they lived as if it was the eighteen hundreds. Women were married at fourteen to much older men who had several wives. The woman escaped, and when she saw the real world, she went into shock. Though our stories are entirely different, some parts of hers resonate with me.

My grandparents filled in many gaps when we visited or went on vacations with them, but many things are still missing. I've never been to a party. How weird is that? Since I keep to myself, no one has invited me to one. There are many things about college life that I missed because… well, during my freshman year, I felt like I couldn't trust myself. What if I said something stupid and they guessed that my parents are famous—and gay? There was also Porter, who locked me inside a beautiful house.

Okay, I'm not having a great Christmas. I hope yours is better.

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: Happy New Year

I haven't read any of your emails. I'm back on the grid for a couple of days. Will I ever cancel this email address because it's flooded with emails? Nope. You're the only one who has it.

I hope this upcoming year is better.

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: Are you okay?

I'm sure it's a weird question but getting on the grid and then back off within two days sounds like… an emergency. Did you run out of Doritos? I'm leaving for Vienna in a few days, but I'll keep checking this email.

Stay safe,

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: How are you doing?

I came back online because I had the feeling that today might be a hard day for you. I'm thinking of you both.

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: How am I?

Jacob and Matt are in Vienna. It's been a hard day, but I'm thankful to have them—and you. It hurts. I'm still wondering about his first word, his first steps… his first birthday.

Will the pain ever disappear?

Thank you for being there when I needed you the most.

Ainsley

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: Graduation Day

Attached are some pictures. I graduated from college. I'm officially an adult, ha!

How are you?

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: I've been better

I'm sorry I couldn't go, but there were some major issues during one of our projects, and I had to take some time off. Maybe I'll see you in a couple of months.

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: Are you okay?

What can happen during a project? Are you hurt? I swear if you're doing something that puts your life in jeopardy, I'm going to kill you. No, scratch that. I'm just going to be mad at you. Send me a picture with proof of life.

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: Proof of life

The emails should be enough for now. I'm fine.

Mason