Checking the clock on the wall, it’s almost eight and I haven’t eaten dinner. I could call Dolly, but they close at nine and I’d hate to make her deliver this late. Guess I’ll scrounge something up at home, not that there’s much in the fridge. I really should get some groceries. I hate grocery shopping here in Heartfair. It’s not like some cities where you can go in and out with your cartful. Heartfair is a social event, you are stopped ten times to chat with town folk and you get to hear everybody’s stories, like Jane’s daughter Monica had a bouncing baby boy three weeks ago and they named him Sven, true story. I didn’t hear it at the supermarket though; I heard it in the bathroom today at work. Not that I mind socializing, but when I’m exhausted and want nothing more than to go home, eat, and take a long bath. I don’t want to spend an hour talking to Mrs. Walker about her son’s recent Boy Scout metal. Can ya really blame me?
Alright, I guess it’s time to get out of here. But I’m going to see if Suit Master emailed back, first. I checked at five just before Daniel left for the day, but had nothing.
Typing the website into the search engine, the site pops up and looks like I’m a lucky woman. I have five new emails that I will just delete like I’ve done since I started talking to Suit Master. Scrolling down it’s here! I have an email!
My heart thuds rapidly in my chest and my strangely hands clam up as I click the open button on my message.
From: SuitMaster6979
To: Lotionlady319
Tuesday 7:10 p.m.
To my Lotion Lady,
Of course, I wouldn’t mind helping out. I’ve worked with Laura many times before. I’ll call her first thing tomorrow, not sure why she didn’t contact me sooner. I offer all of my services pro-bono to The Women’s and Children’s Shelter. Thank you for consulting me about this case.
Abuse is a very personal subject for me. I grew up with an alcoholic mother who beat us when my father was away on business or seeing to his mistress. I suffered the most at my mother’s hand, way more than my siblings did, because every time she went to beat them, I provoked her instead. Sorry to get heavy on you, I just want you to know I could never condone that type of unjust behavior and that is why I have devoted my life to it.
How about I move onto a lighter subject? That might distract you from what I just confessed. I assure you I’m not as damaged as it might sound. I have made peace with the demons of my past, by helping those in the present.
In regards to hobbies, if you learned to knit, I would sit right beside you and do just the same. I’m not opposed to expanding my horizons and I love to try new things. Like you, my hobbies are rather mundane. I read, watch a few TV shows: Only, Bones, Mad Men and The Walking Dead. I refuse to waste a second of my life consumed in the brain cell disease known as reality television. Shopping is an acceptable hobby, I don’t mind it, but I am a man and we are genetically programed to despise it. However, I don’t dislike it as much as many of my friends do.
The only exciting thing I take part in is motorcycle riding. A few of my buddies and I get together a few times a month to ride. It’s liberating. Have you been?
You can’t cook, and you like tea? I can accept that. It’s refreshing to hear such honesty. I’m no Betty Crocker myself, but I can cook thee essentials: popcorn, hot dogs, frozen pizza, and if I’m feeling a little daring, I’ll make spaghetti. Although, I must admit, I can grill. Another one of those manly preprogrammed attributes.
Tea is cool. I drink it occasionally, and I do love coffee. I know that’s like a cardinal sin to speak to a tea lover about coffee. But I did. Please don’t sue me. LOL. What kind of tea is your favorite? I’m partial to sweet tea or others of the cold variety. I leave the hot flavors alone. Straight black coffee is my only hot beverage.
In the interest of keeping this email from becoming a book, I’ll leave you go for now. Even though I could probably find a hundred more things I’d love to talk about and share with you, in due time.
Affectionately, Suit Master
P.S. You are right, it was Poe and I could never think of him again without thinking of you. You should accept my compliment as flattery. I’ll flatter you whichever way I can.
P.S.S. “Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.”
He was abused as a child? If that’s not like me, I don’t think what is. As much as I love his emails, the more I hear, the more I’m skeptical. Perfection is an illusion and I just pray he’s real. That this isn’t some sixty year old man sitting in his basement, jacking off to my picture and typing me these emails knowing damn well no woman could resist them. I know it’s impossible for me to, and I’m not even supposed to want to date. For some people he might be less exciting because he’s not trying to bait me or drawl me in. I find that sexy. Confidence in one’s words is one of the hottest things imaginable. Think about reading all of those books that are erotic romances and if those authors couldn’t confidently produce hotness with their words. Then you would be left with crap like. “Johnny kisses Margaret and it was real nice. She gets a funny feeling between her legs.” Honestly, that’s how it would be if I wrote something like that, I couldn’t write a book, even if I tried. Cosmetics is my passion.