I assure you I would never accept your money if I knew in my heart I could not bear to part with it. More importantly, I promise to not pester you after the purchase and make certain the apple peeler is being well cared for. Once we make the transaction, that’s it. I trust that the apple peeler will be going to a good home with you and your grandfather. I have no reservations to sell. If it seems like I am somewhat hesitant, it’s merely because it feels like I’m holding a funeral for my former self – the person I was before I lived with integrity and honesty. It’s the funeral for a person I wouldn’t want you to know.

After all, I much prefer who I am now.

Well, sometimes I do.

Although I must confess – I sometimes wonder how I’ll properly peel apples without it. I suppose the Greek philosopher, Epicurus, was right – “A free life cannot acquire many possessions, because this is not easy to do without servility to mobs or monarchs.”

Best,

Agnes

EMAIL FROM ZOE CROSS

Date: 05/31/2000

Time: 9:24 a.m.

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

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

Subject: Re: Antique Apple Peeler with Vibrant History for Sale

Agnes,

Once again, I hope you’ll excuse my forwardness when I ask for your bank account routing information so that I can wire your monthly rent payment to you. I know we don’t even really know one another, but I recognize when I’ve been blessed with certain things others have not.

I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to help you in the way that you so clearly need it. I’m lucky enough to never have to worry about rent payment or whether or not I’ll survive another bill cycle, and I would be honored to help you do the same.

I know you’ll probably be hesitant – you’ll probably insist that you don’t need the assistance. I would ask you to reconsider your stubbornness and accept help when it’s offered so freely and so selflessly.

I would also like to take this opportunity to give you my Instant Messenger contact information in case you ever need to talk. You can find me at <crushedmarigolds>. I’m usually online later at night as I typically work remotely during the day.

Please never hesitate to reach out or ask for help if you need it. As I said before, I know we’re complete strangers to one another, but I truly believe I’m within my right to help another human being when I can see clearly that they’re struggling.

Talk soon,

Zoe

EMAIL FROM AGNES PETRELLA

Date: 05/31/2000

Time: 11:12 a.m.

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

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

Subject: Re: Antique Apple Peeler with Vibrant History for Sale

Zoe,