It was a warm Tuesday morning. Joe was busy editing his latest video. It was scheduled to premiere on his YouTube channel Thursday. He looked out the window of his home office with a heavy sigh. There wasn't much motivation to finish the video in two short days.
It wasn't a long video, so he decided to do the editing himself. He regretted not sending it along to his editors to take care of. 'Too late to ask them now.'
This time last year, Joe and his girlfriend Jess, broke up. Well, Joe thought they broke up.
Joe left for a guys trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire the same day as the breakup. When he got back a week later, Jess was waiting for him.
She said the week break was enough and she was ready to start talking again. Joe, speechless, agreed and things went back to normal. He said nothing about the guys trip or what happened. Jess never asked.
As Joe is reliving the memories from last summer in his head, his phone vibrates. It's an email notification from a private sender. The subject reads, "Who is she, Joe? Does Jess know about her?"
Joe immediately unlocks his phone and opens his personal email. Joe is internet famous. He has a successful channel on YouTube, multiple podcasts, and more.
He has been a recognized internet personality for almost 10 years. He's used to weird emails in his business email, but this was in his personal email. He clicks on the email and pictures start to load. Joe's heart dropped.
Joe exits the email and goes to his contacts. He scrolls until he sees Ava Preston and opens a text message. His hands tremble before he gathers himself and starts writing
"Hey Ava. It's Joe. You busy this morning?"
Joe puts his phone down and makes his way to his kitchen. 'What the fuck?' He shakes his head and lets out another heavy sigh. He hadn't spoken to Ava in almost a year. He sat back hoping she would respond quickly.
'Jess is going to bury me,' Joe thought as he stares out the window at the Manhattan skyline. When Joe hears the familiar buzz of his phone, he takes off to the office.
It's Ava! "Holy shit. Joe Russo. Is this going to be an annual thing?"
Any other time, that would be funny. A great response, even. Right now? Joe was ready to panic.
Joe quickly starts typing his response, "Ava, I need to call you or FaceTime you. I need to see you. I can explain why. Just not over text. Are you free right now?"
"Oh. Okay. You're serious. Um, how about I meet you in person?"
Joe paused. A confused look on his face. 'Ava doesn't live in New York. She didn't last year, anyway.'
"Are you in New York?"
"I'm in Manhattan. I moved a few months ago. I wasn't sure if I should tell you or not."
"Do you want to come to my place?" Joe knew that was wrong and not a good idea. He sent it anyway. No hesitation. Then his heart began to race as he stared at the conversation. 'Did I just invite her over?'
Joe's phone is silent for 10 minutes. It felt like an hour. Finally, a response from Ava!
"What's your address?"
---
Joe sat on his couch staring off into space. Going from one scenario in his mind to the next. His dog Molly was watching TV. Unbothered by Joe's internal panic.
Joe got up to make sure Molly had new food and water. Any distraction he could find so he stopped checking the time. Molly heard the food but kept her eyes glued to the television. She ate when she wanted to, not just when she was fed.
Molly is mellow. Unusual for a Goldendoodle. She had always been calm. Even as a puppy. She had her moments and could outrun any dog at the dog park. She loved walks, hated the rain, and was selective about people. Joe was the exception. He could do anything, and Molly loved him unconditionally.
Ava arrived in the lobby 15 minutes later. A call came from the door man. Joe confirmed Ava was there to see him and added her to the approved guest list. If she visited again, the door man would be able to send her right up without a call.
His hands were slightly shaking now. His heart pounded harder in his chest. He heard the elevator ding and the doors opening in the hallway.
Joe took a big deep breath and slowly breathed out. "Shake it off, Joe. Shake it off." He said to himself. "She probably looks exactly the same as the last time you saw her."