Authentically izzy, p.11
Authentically, Izzy, page 11
Luke, I’m attaching a copy of the business cards I designed for you. Once I have your approval, we can order them. Just let me know at church what you think! I will exchange my hard work for certain library books you have in your possession.
Izzy
PS: Luke would look fabulous dressed as a Drum-Tummied Snum. Maybe that should be payment for the business cards.
PPS: Did you know that dithean means “blossoms” in Scottish-Gaelic?
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: March 27
Subject: Re: Eli and the theater
Izzy,
There are moments when you do not have to copy me on emails.
Luke
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood
Date: March 27
Subject: Re: Eli and the theater
Izzy!! I know exactly what you mean about kissing height. I’ve only dated guys who were taller than me, at least by two inches. Wouldn’t it be horrible to never be able to wear heels because you’d dwarf your date?
Did Eli like the Earle Theater? And the wonderful music? It’s one of my favorite things to do when I’m in town, but I think it’s an acquired taste.
What were you wearing? That may have impacted his euphoria. I read that certain colors are more enlivening to certain men than others.
Love,
Penelope
PS: I’ll see you at the parade, but I’m going as Dorothy Gale. Who can turn down red, shiny slippers?
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: March 27
Subject: Re: Eli and the theater
Penny-girl,
I will reiterate. There are moments when you do not have to copy me on emails.
Luke
PS: I’ll show up at the Book Parade as Tom Sawyer wearing a flannel shirt, jeans, and boots.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: March 27
Subject: Re: Eli and the theater
Luke, how is that any different than what you usually wear?
Izzy
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: March 27
Subject: Re: Eli and the theater
I’ll have a piece of straw between my teeth.
Luke
Chapter 9
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: March 27
Subject: Brynna and costumes
Brodie,
Costumes have been the topic of many a conversation lately. I’m trying to encourage Luke to be more inventive in his costumes, especially for the Book Parade next week.
As for your request? I’ll dress in costume if you will! Are you up for the challenge? We could have an entire video chat in character, which should be pretty entertaining if you pull out the Yoda mask again. How long can you keep up the grammar of Yoda-speak, I wonder? I don’t know, though, hearing your Andy Griffith impersonation may be more entertaining. What a conflict!
Our conversation about Jane Eyre last night has me contemplating whether Jane struggles a little with self-righteous pride. I’d never considered it before, so now I must reread the book to sort it out. I suppose you have stimulating conversations like this all of the time, but they’re relatively new to me. The last invigorating bookish conversation I had was with a six-year-old who actually took Goldilocks’s side in the Three Bears story. What are parents teaching their children nowadays? So what if there are talking bears who built a house and cooked porridge! It’s never a good idea to break into someone’s house! (I take serious book talk when I can get it.) That is why our conversations have been so refreshing! (BTW, whose side do you take in the Goldilocks story? Think very carefully before answering.)
Luke can be an excellent book conversationalist, but he’s not very talkative, so as good as the conversations are, they’re usually short.
How do you manage such positivity in a single person? I can feel Brynna’s joy glowing through my computer screen with each message! And oh, how she loves Skymar! You’ve certainly shared so much about it, but I think Brynna is trying to convince me to visit. LOL.
I’m so glad some of my ideas have been helpful. It really is all due to Brynna, though. Her incorporation is what makes the difference and she’s such an eager learner. I sent her to a few online sites to help with creating social-media graphics and banners. With a few tweaks, her ideas shone! She’s a wonderful person to have on your team, Brodie, and so easy to work with.
As far as the library goes . . . I love working there, especially with the children, but to be perfectly honest, I’ve always dreamed of something else. I’m not really sure exactly what, though. I’ve contemplated opening my own bookshop or . . . some place I could cultivate an atmosphere to bring people together through books and stories? Well, that sounds about as wonderful as finding Aladdin’s lamp, and though the library has the books, there’s something about it that lacks the . . . I’m not sure. Magic? Connectivity? Something that used to fit isn’t fitting anymore, I guess.
So . . . I have a meeting with a man next week who plans to lease (or sell) his antique shop in a few months. It’s a fairly good location, but the building needs some work. The idea is a little daunting, to say the least, and perhaps I have a rosy view of it in my mind, but I’ve been collecting ideas for over eight years and they’re nearly bursting to get out. We have an excellent bookshop in town, but she’s already encouraged me to open another, especially since I have a different spin on my shop idea than she does. And it doesn’t hurt to just dip my toe into this idea and see if it’s the right one.
Blossom Festival? Ditheanfest? What a wonderful idea! I can’t wait to see the photos. We have a large festival that happens in Mt. Airy, but it takes place in the fall. The Autumn Leaves Festival. Just before it we have Mayberry Days—a celebration of all things Andy Griffith. What does your spring look like? I’m imagining fairies and pink blossoms floating on an ocean breeze.
Speaking of festivals, on a much smaller scale our library is having its third annual Book Parade this Saturday (thus the costume talk). We build up the excitement (through the winter) by discussing characters from books, and each child chooses the character they’re going to dress up as. Then we march down Main Street in our fashionable best (according to characters, of course). The shops down Main Street all get involved by making special treats and crafts of a bookish nature. We have characters from Laura Ingalls Wilder to Hercules to Arthur Dent marching with literary pride down the sidewalks. I’ll see if Luke is willing to video some of it. Maybe even video live? Do you think you would be available around six o’clock-ish your time? (We usually start it at noon.) It really is worth seeing in real time.
And the King and Queen Festival? Just the idea of it makes me smile. What an excellent combination! Royalty and the arts!
I have our video chat schedule marked in purple on my calendar three times a week. Same days and times as last week? If you need to change them, let me know. My evenings are fairly flexible, except for Thursday evenings. I’m helping Josephine with housekeeping on Thursdays.
Thank you for these bookish conversations and the buds of a beautiful friendship. You’ve saved me from a life comprised solely of deep conversations with elementary school children. Imagine that! I am an expert in Minecraft and The Legend of Zelda, without having ever played either one. (Though I’m excellent at Mario Kart.)
Gratefully,
Izzy
PS: Wodehouse sounds like a very clever man.
PPS: Do you know what bluegrass music is?
From: Josephine Martin
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: March 28
Subject: The Book Parade
Izzy,
Where did Eli go? I thought he was joining you in the Book Parade. He promised me he would dress up as Clark Gable. It wouldn’t take much. I told him you already had a top hat he could borrow.
You really outdid yourself with the Book Parade, Izzy. I was so proud of you! And dark blue is a lovely color on you. Who were you supposed to be? I’m so glad you chose to go with your natural hair color rather than the ghastly blonde wig you wore last year to be . . . who was it? Some elvish princess who handed out flashlights to small people? I’ve always preferred your brunette hair color. It’s so unique with those tiny hints of auburn. Now if you’ll stop adding teal streaks every once in a while . . .
But speaking of the parade . . . I think it’s the largest procession you’ve ever had! I can’t wait to have my babies join the parade. Are there any twins in literature? And don’t you dare remind me of the ones from Alice in Wonderland. It’s bad enough you’ve already bought them the Tweedledee and Tweedledum hats.
I hope to see you and Eli at church tomorrow. Isn’t it nice to have Luke back in town? I didn’t have to wait three days for a repairman to finally respond to my phone calls. Luke came after the fourth one. Patrick is excellent at changing light bulbs and trash bags, but that’s about as far as it goes.
Want to get coffee Monday morning before work?
Josephine
PS: And why don’t you bring a list of questions you could ask Mr. Fisher. We can go over them together.
PPS: You promised you’d never mention my tattoo ever again.
Text from Penelope to Izzy: Wasn’t Eli supposed to be at the Book Parade, Izzy? I didn’t see him on the video you sent! Kissing-height or not, an interested suitor should show up for a girl’s favorite event of the year, if he can! I’m sure he isn’t Brodie now.
From: Brodie Sutherland
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: March 28
Subject: The Book Parade
Isabelle,
The Book Parade was brilliant! You are alive with creativity. It’s remarkable, truly. The parade was your idea, wasn’t it? From the time I’ve corresponded with you, it’s become increasingly evident you have this almost endless supply of inventiveness that is both inspiring and contagious. I’ve been more productive in the past month and a half since knowing you than I have the previous four. Did someone in your life inspire your creativity or is it simply a God-given talent?
My mother was over the moon about the book parade idea. She adores books as much as Da did and one of her passions has always been inspiring children to love stories too. My parents worked together to find new ways to bring books to people in our community first, and then beyond. It’s been a lot for her to take over in his absence (Anders and I are helping, of course, but she is quite determined to manage as much as she can on her own).
My uncle’s and then my little sister’s blindness spurred my parents to invent ways to bring stories to them, which is why Skern became a starting point for creating books in Braille long before other countries initiated the practice. My father even narrated a few books that have become local favorites. There’s a great deal of comfort in finding an audiobook, even now, narrated by my da and hearing his voice speak to me through stories, as he’d done my entire life.
Luke provided an excellent live-video commentary along with attempting to sort out some of the costumes. I feel as though I already know him in part, through our conversations. His sense of humor is quite similar to yours. It was obvious how much the children enjoyed the parade, and evident how much you loved spending time with them.
Own a bookshop? It’s perfect for you. What sort of Isabelle-like uniqueness would you bring into your shop? I get the sense it will feel very much like stepping through a magical wardrobe. Speaking of magical, you looked absolutely lovely in your costume. I didn’t realize how long your hair was. It’s beautiful. I shall never see Susan Pevensie in the same light again.
I have started rereading some C. S. Lewis classics. Do you enjoy his works in both fiction and nonfiction?
I did not know what bluegrass music was, but when I saw your question, I immediately researched it. Yes, I do like it. It sounds similar to some of the music here that stemmed from our Scottish ancestry. The stringed instruments and ballad-like songs. There’s something very earthy and genuine in them, but I’ve never danced to such music. Have you?
Two left feet,
Brodie
PS: I accept your challenge for our next video call. What if I attempt Yoda with an Andy Griffith accent? “Ready are you? What’d y’all know of ready? For eight hundred years have I trained Jedi, y’all.”
PPS: Yes, that was pitiful. Isn’t it a wonder I’m still single?
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood
Date: March 28
Subject: Dorky Prince Charming?
Brodie has talked about me to his mother.
And he’s adorably dorky sometimes. What am I to do with this? He lives on the other side of the world! He hasn’t mentioned anything about a romantic relationship, but I end up daydreaming about him much more than a simple correspondence should inspire. Maybe I should end things now before my heart becomes more involved than it already is. Don’t you think? I mean what could come from this? He has a family, a life, and career in Skymar. I hyperventilate at the thought of flying, let alone moving. And I’m sure he has no plans to move!
But the very idea of ending these delightful dialogues nearly brings me to tears. Is it possible to enjoy this sweet friendship without giving my heart away (as tempting as Brodie makes it)?
That’s it. I’m pulling out my copy of Wuthering Heights.
Izzy
PS: Brodie thinks I’m beautiful. “Be with me always—take any form—drive me mad.”
Text from Luke to Izzy: Izzy, I’m bringing over the cookie dough ice cream. Put down the Brontë.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood
Date: March 29
Subject: Paper flowers?
Two bouquets arrived at my apartment this morning. One was of pink roses. The other was a bouquet of paper flowers, of different shades with words on them. The pink roses were from Eli. An apology bouquet. Evidently Eli stayed up late writing and developed a debilitating migraine. By the time he woke up, the parade was over. I wish I’d known ahead of time so I could have given his Mad Hatter Dinner ticket to Mr. Pressley. All the tickets had sold out online before he could purchase his. Maybe next year we should save some paper-copy purchases for our older population of folks who don’t pay online.
Luke, I can only imagine you sent the others, because you know me so well! Paper flowers? Made from Shakespeare’s sonnets!! They’re more perfect than I can say! Where on earth did you find them? Thank you!
Izzy
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: March 29
Subject: Re: Paper flowers?
You know I’m proud of your book parade, but I didn’t send you a bouquet of paper flowers. I would have sent something more practical. Like potatoes.
Luke
PS: Is face paint permanent? Because soap and water aren’t working.
Text from Izzy to Luke: You didn’t send the bouquet? Then who did? Penelope? (That doesn’t seem in character with her. She’s more of a singing-telegram or dinner-theater-ticket type person.)
Izzy: Oh no, Luke, did you let Johnson Lawson paint your face? You know he uses sharpies as a joke, right? Never trust an elementary school kid with freckles! I’ll be over in a few hours with my special removal kit. Please tell me you didn’t let him give you the Spider-Man face.
Luke: Then I won’t tell you. See you soon.
From: Brodie Sutherland
To: Isabelle Edgewood, Luke Edgewood
Date: March 30
Subject: Face paint removal
Isabelle and Luke,
The video you sent of trying to remove permanent paint from Luke’s face started my day off in all the right ways. I showed Mum and Brynna, and they laughed so hard they cried, quite literally. Fiona kept grinning from the accents and banter between the two of you. I can only imagine what she was envisioning in that pixie head of hers.
We are all in agreement that Luke could take on the Spider-Man look permanently, but the flannel shirt would have to go.
Affectionately,
Brodie
PS: I don’t know why you should be “horrified” by snorting when you laugh. Genuine laughter, with or without a snort, is the only kind to really practice.
PPS: I look forward to our video chat tonight, Isabelle.
Text from Eli to Izzy: I’m so sorry to have missed your parade. May I take you out to dinner to celebrate your success? The local news station sang your praises. What great exposure! Let me make things up to you! You have my undivided attention now that I’ve finished my novel. Steaks? Mexican? Or the new German restaurant? I’m all yours.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: March 30
Subject: Dating Eli?
So . . . Eli texted me about going to dinner to celebrate the parade’s success. I don’t know if my heart is in it, though. However, Josephine gave all the very vocal nudges at church (in front of half the women’s ministry), that I was “dating” a nice professor right now. I don’t care so much about what the women’s ministry ladies think (half of them don’t speak to me right now anyway because I dressed up as McGonagall from Harry Potter last year for Halloween) as much as not wasting an opportunity, you know? He’s here. Right now. And he wants to get to know me better. That’s worth a try, right?
I mean, Brodie is an ocean away. He’s LIKE a dream. And there are times when I still wonder if he’s real or some forward-thinking scientist who is deceiving me through excellent holograms.
