2. Voicemail from Nicolette （19） to Damien （20）

CHAPTER 2

VOICEMAIL FROM NICOLETTE (19) TO DAMIEN (20)

Hi. This is Nicolette Overland. You probably don’t remember me, but in September, you drove me to the airport when I was leaving for college.

I was the nervous wreck with the super-heavy bags?

Anyway, I’m hoping you’re available to pick me up on Thursday at the airport for Christmas break. But I have a complication. I’m in the middle of exams and haven’t had time to do any Christmas shopping, and I can’t arrive home empty handed.

So I can either hire you to drive me home from Burlington, and then borrow a car and drive right back to Burlington to shop before the stores close.

Or—and you can price this however you would price a really weird job—you could drive me to the Church Street Mall before you drive me back home? I can shop fast.

Probably. I mean, I’ll try.

I need to find a gift for the father who has everything, his girlfriend who hates me, and her two weird teenaged twins who are deep into classical music the way some people are into drugs.

Oh God I can’t stop talking.

Sorry.

Beep .

VOICEMAIL FROM NICOLETTE TO DAMIEN

Damien! This is Nicolette again.

I forgot to say that I decided to go by Nicolette, not Nicky or Nicole.

If you have any sense, you’ll delete this message and pretend you never got it.

Or—this would be helpful but still preserve your sanity—you can make a weird excuse, like you are going to be busy shampooing your cat, and helpfully connect me with a Burlington-based taxi service.

So…yeah. If I don’t hear back, I’ll know why.

Oh—wait! My flight is American Airlines from Washington D.C., arriving Thursday December 23 rd at 2:35. I should have led with that. Um, bye!

Beep .

VOICEMAIL FROM DAMIEN TO NICOLETTE

Hey Nicolette! I totally remember you. I’ll start adding a few extra sets at the gym this week so I can handle your luggage.

Also, my cat was recently shampooed, so we’re all set for Thursday. I’ll pick you up and take you over to the mall. I could stand to do a little Christmas shopping myself. I have a lot of nosy siblings, so I tend to leave it to the last minute, anyway. No closet is safe for surprises.

Just call me if your flight seems like it’s going to be late?

I’ll see you Thursday.

Beep