Boy - The Boy Next Door Part 25

x.x.xOOO.

Dolly

To: Mel Fuller From: Subject: MAX OH MY G.o.d, MEL, I AM HERE IN MILAN FOR THE SPRING SHOWS AND I HEARD FROM EVERYONE THAT MAX IS IN JAIL FOR TRYING TO KILL HIS AUNT, AND THAT YOU ARE THE ONE WHO PUT HIM THERE!!!!! OH MY G.o.d, YOU ARE THE COOLLEST GIRL EVER!!!!! ALL MY FREINDS WANT TO KNOW IF YOU WILL PUT THEIR Sc.u.mBAG EXBOYFREINDS IN JAIL TOO!!! MAYBE WE COULD START A BUSINESS TOGETHER: YOU COULD PUT GIRLS BOYFREINDS IN JAIL, AND I COULD TEACH THE IMMIGRANTS HOW TO DRESS!!!!! ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS FOR PUTTING MAX IN JAIL WHERE HE BELONGS WITH ALL THE OTHER DIRTBAGS. I AM ESPECIALLY HAPPY BECAUSE I HAVE MADE A NEW FREIND HERE IN MILAN. HIS NAME IS PAOLO AND HE IS A GALLERY OWNER AND A MILLIONAIRE!!!! NO KIDDING!!! HE IS VERY INTERESTED IN SEEING MY DRIFTWOOD DOLPHIN COLLECTION!!!! HE SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE THOSE IN ITALY AND HE THINKS I CAN MAKE A FORTUNE SELLING THEM HERE. THIS SHOULD SUPPLY US WITH SOME GOOD START-UP CAPITAL FOR OUR BUSINESS TOGETHER, HUH, MEL? One of the girls just told me it is considered very rude to write in all capital letters in email. Is that true? Did you think I was being rude? I am sorry. Anyway, Paolo is taking me out to dinner now, so I have to go. I do not think I will get anything very good to eat. Did you know they have no Applebee's in Milan? No, really. Not even a Friday's. Oh well. See you when I get back!!

Vivica To: Mel Fuller From: Don and Beverly Fuller Subject: I'm afraid Daddy and I didn't understand that last email you sent us at all. What do you mean you aren't coming home after all? Daddy already moved all of his bowling trophies out of your room. You HAVE to come home. Mabel Flemming is counting on you taking over as Arts and Entertainment writer. She says if she has to review one more school play, she just might--Well, I'm too much of a lady to write it. You know Mabel. She's always been so...flamboyant. I suppose I should be happy you're coming home for Christmas, anyway. Five days is better than nothing, I suppose. But, Melissa, where is this John fellow you're bringing along going to sleep? I mean, you can't expect me to let him stay in your room. What would Dolores say? You know she can see everything that goes on in our house from her attic window. And don't think she doesn't look, that old cat.... He'll have to stay in Robbie's old room. I'll start moving my sewing things out of it.

I'm happy to hear about your neighbor, anyway. Why, it sounds like something out of Touched by an Angel, or that new show, what is it called? Miraculous Cures, or something. I'm glad to hear that she has woken from her coma and is doing so well, and will be out of the hospital in time for the holidays, though why her nephew should have tried to kill her....I'm telling you, Melissa, I just don't like you living in that city. It's too dangerous! Murderous nephews and serial killers who wear dresses and men who tell you one name when it turns out their name is something else entirely.... Just think, if you moved back here, you could have a mortgage on a three bedroom house for what you're paying in rent for that little bitty apartment. And you know your old boyfriend, Tommy Meadows, is a real estate agent now. I'm sure he could get you a very nice deal. But I guess if you're happy, that's all that matters. Daddy and I can't wait to see you. Are you sure you don't want us to pick you up at the airport? It seems a waste for you and this John person to rent a car just to drive from the airport out to Lansing.... But I suppose you both know best.

Call before your flight leaves, at least, so we'll know when to expect you. And remember, don't drink on the flight: you'll want to have all your wits about you in case the plane starts to go down, and you need to make an emergency exit.

Love, Mommy.

To: John Trent ; Mel Fuller From: Genevieve Randolph Trent Subject: Sunday dinner.

Your presence is requested at dinner this Sunday at my home at 366 Park Avenue.Kindly be there promptly at seven for c.o.c.ktails. Dress will be informal. Jason, Stacy, thetwins, and the newest addition to the family will also be in attendance.And might I add that I am very pleased to be issuing this invitation to you, Miss Fuller. Ihave a feeling that in the future, we will be enjoying a great many more Sunday dinnerstogether.Stacy has suggested that, now that you've gotten a taste for writing together, you two willwant to start a newspaper of your own. I must say I find such an idea markedlydistasteful. There are far too many newspapers in this town already, in my opinion.But then, I'm just an old woman. What do I know?

Looking forward to seeing you, Mim.

To: Mel Fuller From: John Trent Subject: Hey.

How about knocking off early and joining me and Paco for a little walk? We have something we want to ask you.

John To: John Trent From: Mel Fuller Subject: I couldn't think of anything I'd like to do more.

And by the way, the answer is yes.

Mel.

The End.