Meg Cabot - Boy Meets Girl

But both times, Professor, it was as if I were beating my head against a brick wall. Little kids still went to bed hungry while their parents watched DVDs on their wide-screen TVs, and good people—people I really, really liked—got fired for no good reason. In addition, the people I worked for LIED about firing someone—and then I got fired.

The reason I’m writing to you is . . . Professor Wingblade, what am I supposed to do now?

I went out into the world and tried to make a difference, but nobody’s life is improved because of me, and my own life is, frankly, in shambles. I broke off a relationship because the man I was involved with made me feel like I wasn’t worth much to him.

So now I have no boyfriend, no job, and no permanent place to live.

I don’t want to burden my friends with my problems anymore—they have their own problems. My best friend wants a baby more than anything, so she’s on fertility drugs, and I don’t want to stay at her place—not while she and her husband are trying to make a new life.

Meanwhile, you know, high-school girls are getting pregnant right and left, and don’t even WANT the responsibilities of parenting.

I want kids someday, too, but I can’t seem to find a guy who will commit to tomorrow, let alone stay around long enough to fertilize an egg or see the egg become a baby and the baby become a college grad. I did meet a new guy, but—well, he’s somewhat responsible for getting me fired in the first place, and may be interested in me out of sympathy. We’re certainly attracted to each other sexually and he seems to really like me . . . only how can he, really, when I don’t even like myself?

I should tell you that he’s a lawyer. I know you said all people have worth and dignity. But are you sure that includes lawyers?

How can I open myself up to a new relationship—I’m already completely incapable of getting this guy out of my head and it’s driving me CRAZY—with someone who not only got me fired, but is also a public defender turned high-powered corporate lawyer?

The other thing: I’ve met two members of his immediate family. One was very nice, but the other— Oh my God! What an ass! And things have gotten complicated. And not just because I let him put his hand up my shirt.

Oh my God. I can’t send this to you now.

Well, yes, I probably can, because I feel you’ll understand, on account of how your sharing with us about your wife grabbing the car keys and leaving without telling you where she was going. I sincerely hope that everything has worked out well for you and your wife.

Well, Professor, I have to go, Dolly’s housekeeper is here to change the sheets of the bed I’m lying on.

Please, though, if you get a chance, I’d really appreciate it if you’d drop me a line. I have no one else to turn to.

Thank you,

Kate Mackenzie

To: Jen Sadler Tim Grabowksi

Fr: Mitchell Hertzog

Re: Tonight

You guys ready?

Mitch

To: Mitchell Hertzog

Fr: Tim Grabowksi

Re: Tonight

Thunderbirds are go.

Tim

To: Mitchell Hertzog

Fr: Jen Sadler

Re: Tonight

Are you kidding? I can hardly wait.

J

Dear Katie,

I hear from my lawyer that you are fired, too! And because of me! I am very sorry to hear this. And so I brought you some of the cookies you like so much. I hope they will make you feel better. Also I am taking some to the lawyer man who made you fired. The ugly one’s brother. He is a good man, this brother, in spite of getting you fired. I think he’d be nice to you . . . not like that no-good other boyfriend I see you with.

Here is the recipe for my cookies, so you can make them for this man, and he will love you.

Ida

Ida Lopez’s Gingersnaps

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups flour

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350šF. Beat butter and 1 cup sugar on medium until well blended. Beat in egg and molasses until fluffy.

Whisk ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt into flour. Add flour mixture into butter/sugar mixture with mixer on low.

Using 1/2 teaspoon, form dough into balls. Roll balls into remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Place two inches apart on greased cookie sheets. Using fingertip, place a drop of water on top of each cookie. Do not press down on dough.

Bake 1215 minutes or until cookies are flattened or crinkled. Cool for two minutes on sheets, then place on racks.

Note: 12 minutes for chewy cookies, 15 for crispy.

Hi, you’ve reached Jen—and Craig! We can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave a message, we’ll get right back to you! Promise.

(Tone)

Hey, it’s me. Kate. Where are you guys? Oh, right, it’s Uno night. Well, that explains where Craig is. But where are you, Jen? Anyway, you’re totally missing out. Mrs. Lopez dropped off a basket of cookies for me, on account of she heard I was fired. I must have five dozen cookies here. Ida Lopez’s famous gingersnap cookies. But I guess you’re not going to get any. Well, too bad, so sad. I’m going to eat them ALL.

(Click)

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Mitchell Hertzog

Jen Sadler/HR 3rd Flr

9:30

10:17

Eddie Barofsky

Jen Sadler, HR/3rd fl

9:30

10:17

To: Sean

Fr: Stacy Trent

Re: You

Hey. Look, I know you’re hurting. And I want you to know, I’m on your side. As far as I’m concerned, you can love whoever your little heart desires (oh, God, except a married man. That, I’m afraid, I could not support).

But, you know, Mom’s not exactly Ms. Open Minded. You can’t blame her, really. I mean, she just wants what’s best for us.

Oh, sorry, that was BS. I don’t know what I was thinking. Mom could care less what’s best for us. She just wants whatever makes her look good in front of the Antique Coalition.

Anyway, Jason and I were talking, and we thought it might be fun if you moved in with us for a little while. I know Mitch has got you covered, but, you know, our place is bigger, and we could let you have the guesthouse. Your own kitchen, so you can make those macrobiotic messes you like so much . . . the works. And Jason says you can use the Audi while you’re here.

I know there’s not tons to do in Greenwich, but we could still have a good time. The girls are dying to see their aunt Sean, and Mitch taught Little John some new words he’s just dying to try out on someone.

Think about it, okay? It’s just that I know Mitch works a lot, and I worry about you all alone in that apartment for hours on end. Come to Greenwich. You won’t be sorry. We have puppies. . . . Well, one. Jason finally caved, and it shouldn’t be too hard on Haley’s allergies, if we don’t let her sleep with it. The dog, I mean.

Call me.

Love,

Big Sis

To: Stacy Trent

Fr: Sean

Re: Me

Hey, thanks for the invite. I’d love to come out and see you guys, but I kind of have other plans. Don’t worry about me, I’m good. I know Mitch wants me out of here so he can boff his new girlfriend (she’s really nice, by the way). But it’s all good . . . I’ve got a plan.

And no, it isn’t a suicide plan, God, would everyone just chill (though I’m sure Stuart would prefer a dead sister to a lesbian sister).

I’ll talk to you soon.

Love,

Sean

To: Mitchell Hertzog

Fr: Stacy Trent

Re: Sean

Where are you? I’ve tried your office, home, your cell . . . I am resorting to Blackberry again.