Original:Don’t send me more of this kind of thing because me feeling bad makes you feel good. I don’t need you to reply to the post and make it worse. Also, I don’t do funerals!
Valerie Politeness Translator:OMG, thank you for flagging this but you don’t need to do a thing. I’ve got it totally covered. Hope your summer is awesome!Then a series of sun emojis.
Alexis wrote back.Sorry. I was trying to make sure it’s not such a mess when I come on board as partner. There’s a lot to do for our rebrand into bachelorette parties.
Imagine the reply if she didn’t send it through the translator. One day she might have the nerve to sunset the VPT. Unfortunately it wasn’t today. She couldn’t help it. Alexis was overreaching but she still didn’t want to upset her.
Original:Stop bugging me.
VPT:Thanks. As I said, I’m taking a break, so you might want to think of alternative jobs. Maybe open your own company!
I can wait, wrote Alexis.Can you send me all of your files and stuff, so I can start our realignment? We need to talk about a launch date.
Somehow Alexis had again jumped past the point where Valerie had not agreed to any of this. She stared at the screen, wondering what it would be like to go through life with such self-assurance. Was there a downside to a total disregard for any view but your own? Alexis seemed happy enough.
“Everything okay?” asked Nico.
“Do you ever say no to people?”
Nico didn’t comment on the left-handed nature of the question. “Yes.”
“How do you feel when you do?”
He shut his laptop as Brayden shouted for his mother. “It depends.”
“Ever feel guilty?”
“Sometimes.” In the shade, his eyes were the color of stone. “I usually find when I feel guilty it’s because someone wants me to feel bad, so they can get what they want. Why do you ask?”
“Just wondering.” Valerie sipped her iced coffee. She couldn’tremember the last time someone had put her needs over their own. Jake had never been forceful about it, but Valerie had quickly discovered she’d have to deal with days of silent treatment and pouting if he didn’t get his way. Not to mention that she loved him. Love meant you wanted to make people happy, didn’t it? However, it never seemed to go both ways. Or her way, even on small things, like the last slice of pizza. Where Valerie always checked to see if he was still hungry, Jake had no problem simply taking what he wanted and leaving her the empty box to throw away.
Valerie was always the one to give in and make sure everyone around her was happy, or at least happy with her. It had felt safe that way, but if it made her miserable, it could be that perception of safety was a mirage.
David walked by, yelling into his phone and waving away his wife.
“It’s so hard to figure out the dynamic here,” she said, looking after them. “First they’re having a grand old time; then everyone is snapping at each other.”
“It’s a family,” said Nico. “There’s love, but they know how to irritate each other.”
“I guess my own family was more low-key, you know? Not a lot of ups and downs. We all did our own thing, or at least I did and they did.” The years had taken off some of the sting, but it hadn’t disappeared. She wondered if it ever would. Regardless, she didn’t want to waste a gorgeous morning with a handsome man by using him as her personal therapist.
Penny appeared from around the manicured garden and waved as she approached. Valerie didn’t look at Nico. Despite making up, what he said on the boat had made her think harder about Penny.
“That boy,” Penny said fondly. “It’s hard for a genius to find their niche, but Brayden’s done it. Try.” She held out what looked like a puck to Valerie, who took it with the gravity and respect the moment seemedto call for. When she tried to break it in two so she could make Nico eat half, it crumbled into dust in her hands.
“Oh, Valerie.” Penny sounded disapproving.
She looked down. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s too bad you couldn’t appreciate the work Brayden put in that.”
“Uh, the gardens are lovely,” said Valerie, trying to avoid talk of her deficiencies.
“Thank you.” Penny looked around with a gratified eye. “People don’t understand how much effort multiple properties can be, between the taxes and the upkeep. Not to mention we only use this for a few months! It’s empty most of the time and that brings its own set of challenges.”
“It sure sounds rough,” said Valerie.
“It’s worth it. Tracey Jefferies was by earlier and she was so jealous. She has a black thumb, unlike me.” Penny watched one of the gardeners weed the roses. “Simply magical.”
