Thirty-one years ago my dad walked into a Walgreens in the middle of Kentucky and met the woman of his dreams: my mother. He was unhappily married at the time with a daughter. My mother was ten years younger than him. But, it just happened. And, once it happened, there wasn’t a damn thing he or she could do about it. It was on.
Tonight, when you walked into Tap, in your purple pea coat and looked straight into my eyes with that mischievous grin of yours, it just happened. And, I knew.
You’re the one, Iz.
Done and done.
—Your Marty
SMS From: Izabell (Mobile)
March 4, 2008 2:45 AM
Thank you for a lovely evening. I think we won the game. ;-)
Sent:
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 3:03 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Tonight
My friends tell me that I’m supposed to wait two days or something … but I wanted to follow up with you after what was a very enjoyable evening. Despite your constant advances, you’ve left me intrigued to learn more about Goddess Iz. ;-)
Also, thank you for your text last night. I was already fast asleep when you sent it, and it brought a smile to my face as I woke up this morning. I agree with you that we won the game, and I like our chances better than that other couple at Tap. (Can you believe that? What were the chances of meeting another couple on a blind date?)
I’m booked up on Thursday night (trivia) and Friday night (off to a concert with some friends … shocking, I’m sure), but I’d love to see you on Saturday if you are available.
—Marty!
P.S. You were definitely worth the wait. ;-)
Draft:
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 8:34 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Tonight
This e-mail was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
It goes without saying that if Friday is the only night you are available, I will hands-down cancel my plans with my friends. No concert is worth missing out on a date with you. Let me know.
Btw, the lyrics to a particular Beatles B-side are playing through my head right now …
“Got to Get You into My Life!”
Sent:
Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 1:03 AM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Call
Well … I’ve had a few hours to digest your phone call from last night. I do appreciate your honesty and directness. (I also appreciate that you called, as opposed to writing an informal e-mail.) Here’s where I’m at:
On the one hand, I’ve got this girl who can be sorta flaky, has terrible timing, and tells me (right after an amazing date, no less) that she wants to exclusively date her best guy friend.
On the other hand, I’ve got a super-smart, ambitious, uber-cultured, artsy, risk-taking, sharp-dressing, absolute knock-out who can keep up with my dry wit, has a great smile, gives me butterflies, and laughs at my jokes. It just might have been the best first date I’ve ever been on.
It’s a tough one, isn’t it?
If I were giving advice to a friend, I’m 100% positive that I would tell him to move on and forget about you. There are more fish in the sea, right? I guess
I’m a glutton for punishment, because I’m thinking you are worth fighting for. I don’t want to look back in twenty years and wonder …
So … bottom line is this: I really just want to spend some more time with you. Doing anything. Even as a friend. Like going to see a movie on a Sunday. Or going to the Highlands and walking around and grabbing a drink at some dive bar. Or getting tapas at a Spanish restaurant. Or grabbing a margarita at, what time was that?, 4 PM in the afternoon at some funky Mexican restaurant. Or walking your dog (Thea, wasn’t it?) at Piedmont Park. Or whatever. I’ll leave my Sunday open should you choose to accept.
And don’t think that you would be leading me on by accepting. Life’s not black and white. Neither is this.
“Shut up and deal” already.
—Marty!
Draft:
Friday, March 7, 2008 at 3:13 AM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
I Should Have Known Better
This e-mail was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
Haven’t heard any response from you yet … Now a different Beatles B-Side is starting to run through my mind …
Yeah, I Should Have Known Better.
Sent:
Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 4:45 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Hello?
Was it something I said? ;-)
—Still Marty!
Draft:
Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 11:34 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Said
OK, it was obviously something I said.
TWO YEARS EARLIER … MAY 2006–MARCH 2008: IZZY (IZABELL) & PETER (PETER)
Sent:
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 3:04 PM
From:
Peter
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Question
Hey There,
Have you worked on a landlord–tenant issue here at the firm yet? If so, let me know. I have to write a memo on it by the end of the week.
This is Peter, btw, your fellow Summer Intern. We met at the function last night.
—Peter
Sent:
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 3:14 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Elizabeth
Subject:
Hmm
So … You know our fellow Summer Intern, Peter? (He’s the curly reddish-haired one with the piercing baby blue eyes and the white teeth who dresses real sharp.) Anywhoooo, he just sent me an overtly flirtatious in a slightly subtle-sorta-way e-mail asking for help on a memo. Hmm.
Thoughts?
—Izzy
P.S. If you don’t respond within the next five minutes, I’m going to respond on my own initiative without any input.
P.P.S. Don’t worry, I’ll Bcc you so you can see me in all my glory. ;-)
Sent:
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 3:19 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Peter
Bcc:
Elizabeth
Subject:
Re: Question
Hey There Yourself,
Unfortunately, I have not yet worked on such an issue. However, being the PhD-er that you are (you got your PhD in Biology, correct?), and now being the law student that you are (you go to Columbia, right?), I have full faith that you will be able to figure it out all by your lonesome. This said, if you require my wisdom and guidance on such matters, feel free to stop by my office: I’m on the 44th floor.
—Izzy
P.S. Being the biologist that you were, how in the world can you smoke? Yeah, I saw you smoking outside with the secretaries yesterday! ;-)
P.P.S. And, yes, I remember you from the function last night. Nice to hear from you!
Sent:
Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 5:55 PM
From:
Peter
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Question
Izabell,
I do indeed smoke. I know, I know—a nasty habit. However, only my closest friends are allowed to ask me to quit. ;-)
—Peter
Sent:
Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 7:01 PM
From:
Elizabeth
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Question
Nice mutual flirtation thing going on. Solid responses on your part. Keep up the good work.
—E
Sent:
Friday, May 19, 2006 at 5:17 PM
From:
Facebook
To:
Peter
Subject:
Izabell Chin added you as a friend on Facebook …
Hi Peter,
Izabell Chin added you as a friend on Facebook. We need to confirm that you know Izabell in order for you to be friends on Facebook.
To confirm this friend request, follow the link below: http://facebook.com/?profilid&ed=274556685=feed&story=e942nidiv34
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
Sent:
Friday, May 19, 2006 at 6:30 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Peter
Subject:
Re: Question
Are you going to the casino event tonight? I never thought I’d see the day when free dinners with wine and raw oysters got old (especially since I was starving when I was an actress in Hollywood for all those years, and I’m still starving as a poor law student). But, this firm is killin’ me with all their events! I’m this close to e-mailing the top peeps here and saying: “I accept your offer of employment for next year, assuming I graduate from law school and pass the Bar. You don’t need to force-feed me any more rib-eye steaks and expensive red wine!”
Anywhoooo, you planning on going?
Sent:
Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 4:44 PM
From:
Peter
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Casino Night
I had fun last night.
Sent:
Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 4:50 PM
From:
Facebook
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Peter Schultz confirmed you as a friend on Facebook …
Hi Izabell,
Peter Schultz confirmed you as a friend on Facebook.
To view Peter’s profile or write on his Wall, follow this link: http://facebook.com/?profilid&ed=25603946685=feed&story=e942nidiv34
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
Sent:
Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 4:56 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Elizabeth
Subject:
Grrrr
Just went on Peter’s Facebook page (because he finally accepted my friend request and, yes, I was stalking), and he’s listed as “in a relationship”!!!! Hello, WTF?? I feel compelled to let him know that his duplicitous behavior is NOT OK.
—Izzy
P.S. It makes perfect sense now why Peter delayed accepting my Facebook friend request. He didn’t want it to be known that he has a GIRLFRIEND until AFTER the casino night during which he flirted with me incessantly!
Sent:
Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 7:31 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Peter
Subject:
Re: Casino Night
Peter,
That was fun! The highlight, of course, was when Josh fell in the pool (do you think he’ll get a job offer now, LOL?!). So, I’m pluggin’ away on this memo regarding the issue of whether criminal liability can attach to an ambiguous contract. I know, I know, a Summer Intern working on a Sunday night, dear gosh, but it’s actually quite interesting.
I noticed that you’re listed as being “in a relationship” on Facebook. Will the GF be joining you at the swanky formal soiree the firm’s planned for us next month? If so, I can’t wait to meet her. Any girlfriend of yours has got to be a cool gal.
Mike Bones (what an odd last name; at least, the “s” is not an “r”) asked me out on Friday. Go figure. What are your thoughts as to Summer Interns dating each other? I’m thinking “not such a good idea.”
Of course, I will end up dating him, and it’ll end miserably.
—Izzy
Sent:
Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 11:30 PM
From:
Peter
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Casino Night
Lauren and I broke up last week actually. So, no, I won’t be taking her to the formal.
Mike seems like a nice enough guy.
Sent:
Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 11:34 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Elizabeth
Subject:
Peter’s FB Status
Apparently, Peter and his girlfriend broke up last week. Then, why the f—k hasn’t he changed his relationship status on Facebook?????
Sent:
Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 11:46 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Peter
Subject:
Re: Question
Sorry to hear about you and Lauren. These things happen. My track record in the relationship department is not so great either … I think it’s a sign of higher intelligence if one cannot make a relationship work.
Sent:
Sunday, June 4, 2006 at 9:19 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Elizabeth, Annette, Brooke
Subject:
Birthday
As you know, my birthday party next weekend is sure to be fun. Netty and Brookey, it’ll be SO worth the flight here to the ATL, promise! I WILL deliver.
Anywhoooo, I’m inviting about ten peeps from the firm, they’re all fellow summer interns. There’s one guy who seems particularly cool, his name’s Peter. He goes to Columbia Law so he’s right around the corner from us, and I’m thinking he’ll hang with our group when we go back to NYU!
See you in a week!!!!! GET READY.
Sent:
Sunday, June 4, 2006 at 9:31 PM
From:
Annette
To:
Elizabeth, Brooke
Subject:
Re: Birthday
Does Izzy have a crush? ;-)
Sent:
Sunday, June 4, 2006 at 9:34 PM
From:
Elizabeth
To:
Annette, Brooke
Subject:
Re: Birthday
Rhetorical.
Sent:
Monday, June 5, 2006 at 9:03 AM
From:
Izabell
To:
Peter
Subject:
My Birthday
Hey P—
I am so excited that you’re coming to my birthday party! It’ll be awesome. Think ten-course tasting menu with wine pairings followed by The Cheetah club (my friend’s got us a VIP table; I know, I know, I’m a strange girl for wanting to have my birthday party at a strip club, but it is THE premier strip club in the ATL and a city landmark so … “When in Rome” … ). My best friends are flying down from NYC. Can’t wait for you to meet them!
“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” … what movie?
—Izzy
P.S. Mike “Boner” (new nickname derived from horrible break-up) will NOT be coming. Yes, it ended miserably. What an idiot (and by “idiot,” I mean HIM.)
P.P.S. Sorry I’ve been MIA for the past two weeks. See “P.S.” for the reason.
Sent:
Monday, June 5, 2006 at 9:07 AM
From:
Peter
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: My Birthday
Casablanca.
Didn’t our friendship already start over a month ago? ;-)
Looking forward to the party.
Draft:
Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 5:56 AM
From:
Peter
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Thoughts
This e-mail was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
Hey There,
I wanted to apologize for your birthday last night. I had a little too much Single Malt Scotch. The truth is that I think you’re amazing. I realize that dating would be a potentially bad idea since we’ve become such good friends (and since you just got out of something with Mike), but I thought I’d throw it out there. Let me know your thoughts. And, again, I’m sorry about last night. That’s not the way I should’ve “told” you this. I’m not the best at expressing myself.
—Peter
Sent:
Sunday, June 11, 2006 at 10:04 AM
From:
Izabell
To:
Peter
Subject:
Weirdness … gasp … no!
So, let’s make a promise that the weirdness that ensued on my birthday won’t make a dent in our friendship which I value very, very much. OK?