Epilogue
From: [email protected]
I will never get over how much New York stinks. Like, seriously. The studio? Pristine. Everyone in it? Gorgeous. Then you take two steps outside and there’s a heaping pile of trash and a rat the size of a dinner plate wearing timbs. Lana says I’ll eventually get used to the stench, but I don’t know. You know how in those period pieces they used to put perfume on their handkerchiefs to cover up other people’s BO? I think I’m going to do that.
How is planning going for launch? Do not stress about it. I know you will anyway, but chill. You’ve done events before; this one will be a piece of cake.
Speaking of cake: do not try and buy yourself one. Because I have definitely not already taken care of that.
Tell our daughter I miss her.
From: [email protected]
Ampersand doesn’t miss you at all. In fact, she’s taken over your side of the bed, and I don’t think you’re getting it back.
NYC is like that. Still one of the most magical cities on earth. I need to drop by, meet up with my publicists. They’ve been putting in work; they deserve a dinner or something.
I am not stressing about launch. I promise. Momma, on the other hand, is losing her mind. She just asked if we need a florist for the event.
Speaking of flowers. Guess who sent me some for the event. Starts with an R. Ends with a Kovalenko. They’re on the dining table right now. They’re, um, a lot.
How’s Ezra? He’s done filming, right?
What time do you land again?
From: [email protected]
I land at 10:00a.m. Do you love me enough to pick me up from O’Hare? Or should I plan on finding a ride? (Note: no pressure at all on this, I love you too much to subject you to that drive.) Ezra’s right here. Says he’s good, and that his mom is going to be overcompensating for pissing you off for the rest of your life. Send me a pic. Are there ostrich feathers in it? Pearls? If not, it’s at best a four out of ten in the Renata extraness scale.
You are definitely stressing.
From: [email protected]
Fine, I’m stressing. But all things considered, I’m doing pretty good. This is just the second most stressful thing I’ll probably have to do in my life.
Three hundred people bought tickets. The fuck. We’re legit at capacity. How am I supposed to talk in front of three hundred people?
From: [email protected]
Three hundred people is a lot, but your crowds are only going to get bigger, darling. Prepare thyself.
And I did not realize you had a ranking for “stressful things you’ll have to do in your life.” What tops that list?
From: [email protected]
Proposing, probably. Though “birth of our child” comes pretty close. Actually maybe that should be number one. The maternal mortality rate for Black women is through the roof in this country.
