10:13:04 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> You really didn’t have to do that

10:13:10 <crushedmarigolds> I wanted to

10:13:22 <crushedmarigolds> [omitted]

10:13:30 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> What are you doing right now?

10:13:42 <crushedmarigolds> Eating dinner, playing solitaire on the computer

10:13:51 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Eating dinner this late?

10:14:02 <crushedmarigolds> Couldn’t help it. I was busy all day

10:14:17 <crushedmarigolds> What are you doing?

10:14:29 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Drinking a cup of tea, going to bed soon

10:14:42 <crushedmarigolds> Same. I can’t stay on long. I have to get up early tomorrow

10:14:58 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> I wish you didn’t have to

10:15:09 <crushedmarigolds> Me too. It’s for work. Have to commute into the office

10:15:27 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Will you be on tomorrow night?

10:15: 36 <crushedmarigolds> Definitely

10:15:49 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Good

10:16:01 <crushedmarigolds> Will you make me a promise?

10:16:11 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Anything

10:16:28 <crushedmarigolds> Don’t sell the apple peeler. Keep it for your grandmother

10:16:39 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> OK. I will

10:16:52 <crushedmarigolds> We’ll talk tomorrow?

10:17:01 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Yeah, we’ll talk tomorrow

10:17:08 <crushedmarigolds> Talk to you then

10:17:14 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Talk to you

[<crushedmarigolds> has left the chat]

[<agnes_in_wonderland_76> has left the chat]

Part Two

PART TWO

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TODAY TO DESERVE YOUR EYES?

EMAIL FROM AGNES PETRELLA

Date: 06/03/2000

Time: 8:08 a.m.

From: Agnes Petrella <agnes_in_wonderland_76@[omitted].com>

To: Zoe Cross <crushedmarigolds@[omitted].com>

Subject: Thinking of you

I know you’re probably busy at work, but I wanted to send you a quick note and let you know that you’ve been on my mind all morning.

Is that weird?

I hope it’s not weird.

I once read somewhere that if your mind continuously returns to the same person over and over again, it means that they’re thinking of you as well.

I hope that’s true.

I’d be absolutely devastated to know it was a lie conjured by somebody who simply had too much time on their hands.

Of course, I’m certain you’re busy. You probably don’t have the luxury of endless free time to think. It’s not that I have the luxury of endless time on my hands either. But I can’t seem to compel my brain to think of anything other than you and your kindness.

Another user on that QueerList website reached out to me this morning and inquired if the apple peeler was for sale. You can imagine my surprise when I received the email. I thought I had taken the post down. I suppose in my excitement yesterday, the thought completely slipped my mind.

You’ll be happy to know I’ve since taken down the listing from the website. The apple peeler is safe in its decorative place, pinned to my kitchen wall. In fact, I’m staring at it right now as I type this email.

I hope we have the chance to talk again later tonight. I like talking to you.