Page 63 of Bad Words

And of course I don’t usually do this.

I felt something compress in my chest. I took an aimless step forward. Some part of me recognized that I was hungry, and should eat. Instead I stared into my phone.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Sent: Dec 25, 2:20 PM

Re: Kavan Retrospective

Good, because this is an exceptionally weird way to spend your Christmas. I’d hate to think you do it for just anybody.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Sent: Dec 25, 2:21 PM

Re: Kavan Retrospective

Do you usually spend Christmas emailing your least favorite critics back within a thirty-second window?

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Sent: Dec 25, 2:22 PM

Re: Kavan Retrospective

I usually spend Christmas juggling four siblings, their partners, my niece and nephew, and either my mother or father, depending on who gets us for the day itself. I have a lot of time on my hands this year.

Clearly I’m not the only one.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Sent: Dec 25, 2:24 PM

Re: Kavan Retrospective

No, you’re not the only one.

By the way: Are you aware how different you sound over email?

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Sent: Dec 25, 2:24 PM

Re: Kavan Retrospective

In comparison to what?

To: [email protected]