The next page was a letter to Mike.
Dear Mike,
I found your friend Sydney’s vet clinic and invaded his fax. I hope he doesn’t mind. It’s wonderful you have found a mentor to help guide you. As you explore the next phase of your life (take your time), I think it’s always best to get many a perspective.
I’m looking forward to visiting you and seeing the new home you’ve made for yourself. Your mother states your place is “adorable.” I’m sure that is what you were striving for. (chuckle out loud) Darrin has been trying to teach me how emotions are communicated through texting. I figured I would try it in letters. Slowly but surely, I’m getting the hang of it. (chuckle out loud again)
On the next page you’ll see a list of historical sites I think would be nice to visit as a family. I’ve ranked them in what I think is historical importance.
Looking forward to it. Be safe, son.
Love, Dad.
This man was adorable—I just had to write him back. For some reason, I pictured him sitting at his fax machine, waiting for some sort of response. Thank goodness I’d been at the clinic when the fax had come through or we might never have seen these letters from Dex.
I wrote a letter, trying to keep my penmanship neat, and faxed it back.
Dear Dex,
This is Sydney Burch. I’m the granddaughter of the man you found on the internet and was named after him. He recently passed away, and I took over his veterinary clinic. It’s nice to meet you via the fax system. I had no idea my grandfather still had the fax machine but will be sure to keep it going so you are able to have another way to communicate with Mike.
I know exactly what you mean about the tiny keys for texting. I am always pushing the wrong button. It gets irritating.
I have enjoyed getting to know your son. While I was away, he helped watch the clinic for me. It was how we met. He’s quite a fine young man, and I hope I’m able to meet you and the rest of your family when you come to visit.
Before moving here permanently, I’d been coming to Salem since I was a little girl, and the places you have listed to visit will be amazing, and I believe you’ve listed them in a great order. If you have any questions or would like dining suggestions, don’t hesitate to ask.
All the best,
Sydney
I giggled at the idea that I was waiting for Dex to send back a reply. I was faxing my kind-of boyfriend’s dad. I doubted anyone these days even knew what a fax was. I had about twenty-five minutes until Mike arrived. I was ready to see him. This morning had been nice, but I was ready to see how things progressed. I needed an orgasm. My cheeks flushed at the thought of his mouth on my nipple and I
fanned myself.
Good grief.
As I waited, I walked up to the fish tank and tapped on the glass. “Hey, Ragnor. You hungry?”
I gave him a small pinch of fish food. The fax machine came to life, and I dashed over to it, anxious to see what Dex had written back.
Dear Sydney,
My deepest apologies for assuming you were a man with a few years under his belt. No wonder Paula was excited about Mike befriending you. I had wondered what all the squealing was about when I saw the picture of your grandfather. (wink face)
I very much appreciate you lending me your fax machine. It’s very kind of you.
While we are in town, it would be wonderful to meet you. However, I understand you are a busy woman. It’s very admirable what you’ve accomplished. If you are free, it would be wonderful to have you join us on our excursions. I’m quite sure Mike would enjoy it, too.