Rosie, are you there? Are you having problems with your email? Please reply. You should be getting on a plane soon to come over here – you’ll miss the start of term.
From Alex
To Rosie
Subject Please, Rosie?
Are you mad at me? I’m sorry I couldn’t go to the debs ball, but I thought you understood. Things with whiny Briany can’t have gone that badly, can they? What have you been doing all month? This is ridiculous. Why doesn’t anyone answer the phone at your house when I call?
Answer me,
Alex
Dear Alice,
Hi, it’s Alex here. I’m just writing to see if Rosie’s OK. I haven’t heard from her and I was getting a bit worried, to tell you the truth. It’s unusual for me to not hear from her in so long. Every time I call the house it just goes on to answering machine. Are you getting my messages? Maybe you’ve all gone away? Please let me no what’s happening, and tell Rosie to call.
Best wishes,
Alex
Dear Sandra,
Alex has been leaving messages with us all week and he’s terribly concerned about Rosie. I know you’re worried about him worrying about Rosie so I’m just writing to let you know the situation …
From Alex
To Rosie
Subject You’re not coming to Boston?
My mum told me today that you’re not coming to Boston. Please tell me what’s happening. I’m so worried. Did I do something wrong? You no that I am always here for you when you need me.
Whatever it is, Rosie, I will understand and will always be here to help you. Please let me no what is happening. I’m going out of my mind here. If you don’t get in touch with me, I’m booking a flight back to Ireland to see you myself.
Love,
Alex
From Stephanie
To Rosie
Subject I’m coming over
Rosie, my sweetie, don’t worry. Just take deep breaths and try to relax. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe this is the correct path for you; perhaps Boston wasn’t. I’m booking a flight and I’ll be home as soon as I can. Hang in there, little sis.
Love,
Stephanie
Dear Miss Rosie Dunne,
Thank you for your recent letter. Boston College acknowledges that you will not be accepting your position this year.
Yours sincerely,
Robert Whitworth
Rosie, can’t believe this is the decision u have made. You know I am not in support of it. I’m moving away as I had already planned. Hope everything works out well 4 u.
From Rosie
To Alex
Subject Help
Oh God, Alex, what have I done?
Alex,
It was good to see you again. Please don’t be a stranger – I’m really going to need all the friends I can get right now. Thank you for being so supportive last week. I honestly think I would go mad without you sometimes.
Life is funny, isn’t it? Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, just when you finally begin to plan something, get excited about it and feel like you know what direction you’re heading in, the paths change, the signs change, the wind blows the other way, north is suddenly south, and east is west and you’re lost. It is so easy to lose your way, to lose direction.
There aren’t many sure things in life, but one thing I do know is that you have to deal with the consequences of your actions. You have to follow through on some things.
I always give up, Alex. What have I ever had to do in my life that really needed to be done? I always had a choice, and I always took the easy way out – we always took the easy way out. A few months ago, the burden of double maths on a Monday morning and finding a spot the size of Pluto on my nose was as complicated as it ever got for me.
This time round I’m having a baby. A baby. And that baby will be around on the Monday, the Tuesday, the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I will have no weekends off. No three-month holidays. I can’t take a day off, call in sick or get Mum to write a note. I am going to be the mum now. I wish I could write myself a note.
I’m scared, Alex.
Rosie
From Alex
To Rosie
Subject Baby talk
No, it’s not double maths on a Monday morning. It will be far more exciting than that. Double maths on a Monday morning is boring: it makes you sleep and gives you headache. You will learn masses more from this experience than a maths class can ever teach you.
I am here for you for whenever you need me. College can wait for you, Rosie, because you have far more important work to do now.
I no you will be just fine.
From Rosie
To Alex
Subject Re: Baby talk
You KNOW I will be fine. Watch the spelling, Mr. Stewart!
From Alex
To Rosie
Subject Re: Re: Baby talk
Rosie, you’re already acting like a mother – you’re going to be fine! Take care. Alex
You have received an instant message from: ALEX.
Alex: I thought you said you’d keep an eye on her for me, Phil.
Phil: I told you, if she didn’t learn to control her bladder she’d be out of here. She’s fine in the garden.
Alex: Not the dog, Phil, I’m talking about Rosie.
Phil: What about Rosie?
Alex: Stop pretending you don’t no. I heard Mum and Dad tell you over the phone.
