On Friday, Jun10, 2022, at10:39 PM CET, Maddie Smith
wrote:
Alan,
I remember now the first time I knew that I loved you. It was before I'd even met you, when I read that piece you wrote on the Hoover Dam. I had never before entertained the possibility that monumental engineering projects could be arousing, but in your hands, dear...
That's what I thought of as I read your most recent...submission. It was lovely, dear, though brief, and a bit schematic. Still, I read it this morning before I left for work, and I've felt tingly all day just thinking about it. So now, to share my gratitude, let me tell you how I spent last night.
You may recall that I was in a sulk, darling. A day of frustrating meetings, a botched email from you. I needed a drink. None of these silly spritzs that everyone's drinking these days. I needed a martini, darling. Ice cold and bone dry. They make a fine one in the hotel bar, so I freshened up and headed downstairs. There's just no use stewing alone in one's room, I think.
I was just beginning to enjoy my drink when a very dull, very tall, very American finance type sat down next to me--uninvited of course--and proceeded to tell me all about how exchange rates or something, and how much he resents the property tax rates in Chappaqua. Or Scarsdale. Or Greenwich. I can't remember.
When I saw Annette passing through the lobby, I told him that my dinner date had arrived, and I called her over. She really is such a dear. She understood immediately, and we made our escape, arm in arm, leaving Tom Chappaqua to mutter to himself about lesbians. And taxes no doubt.
I still haven't told you about my previous dinner with Annette. Nor, I believe will I tell you much about this one, except to say that these dinners have been surprisingly romantic. Before you ask, I will reassure you: I haven't slept with her. But the conversation, dear...
I have to tell you that you came up. She asked of course, when she realized who I was, she asked about you.