Dear faithful readers, occasional stalkers, and you with the wrong link to another site:
I’ve posted very sporadically in recent months due to grad school consuming most my time and energy. Since I have a brief break, I’ve been inspired by various sources (the holidays, the weather, real life + fiction, etc.) to write a wintry tale in epistolary form for fun. I’ll post installments here on a hopefully-close-to-daily basis through the New Year. I’m really just flying by the seat of my pants (no plot outline, no particular ending in mind, no profound Point), but I hope it’ll bring you some laughter and cheer if you choose to follow along. If not, I’ll simply amuse myself.
Part I. Driving Tickets and Baristas
E-MAIL SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 12:03:44 AM
From Darby Chan to Avery Chan
Dear Avery,
It’s midnight, and I’m writing this beside some half-waxed, dying candlelight. I think I’ve found the eighteenth century. Curse your magnanimous spirit for spending winter break in a third world country with no wireless or data plan. I’m warning you, if I send more than three of these with no response, I’ll stop writing and start planning your funeral. Curse Jansen’s driving too. We were supposed to arrive hours ago if we weren’t pulled over on the way. $300 for going 15 mph over the limit. Margaret feels bad, so she promised to write a letter for him to contest it.
I told him he could work the resort coffee counter to scrape the cash together.
In other news—there is none. It’s freezing. If the heater ever goes out in this place, you’ll need to come haul my frozen carcass away. I wish we had picked Jamaica or somewhere tropical. It’s these unwavering, immigrant genetics we have that simply won’t allow me to pass up a good deal. I’m beginning to understand why this place offered us half price.
But I can’t complain (aloud, at least, so expect to get the brunt of it). I dragged M and J into this. I guess I can try skiing again?
I miss you. Sorry about this poor excuse for a first email. It’s late and this keyboard is starting to feel like a giant ice cube. I want to say something worthwhile, knowing you’ll only get to check in once in awhile. I’ll try to improve.
Please don’t die.
Darby
P.S. It’s not really terrible here. The current guy at the coffee counter isn’t bad looking. I’ll send you a picture sometime if I get a chance.
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GROUP MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 7:13:22 AM
From Juki to D-Chan, Mags
Christmas Eve, kids!!! Hope you have your presents for me ready.
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GROUP MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 7:20:45 AM
From D-Chan to Juki, Mags
Coughed up your $300 yet?
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GROUP MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 7:21:13 AM
From Juki to D-Chan, Mags
Remind me why I’m on vacation with you.
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GROUP MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 7:21:57 AM
From D-Chan to Juki, Mags
No one else wants you.
I’m going to breakfast. Meet you guys there.
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ZEPHYR MOUNTAIN CABIN BREAKFAST MENU
Zephyr’s Black Diamond Breakfast
Two sausages, three eggs, and stack of buttermilk pancakes
Zephyr’s Blue Square Breakfast
Two eggs, chocolate chip or strawberry jam waffles
Zephyr’s Bunny Slope Breakfast
Fruit and granola
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EMAIL SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 7:43:52 AM
From Darby Chan to Avery Chan
[COFFEE_GUY.JPEG]
Sent from iPhone
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MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 8:05:12 AM
From Jansen to Margaret
Overslept? Darby’s got a crush. Commence: Operation Love Story?
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GROUP MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 8:20:19 AM
From Mags to D-Chan, Juki
Guys. This is an inhuman hour to be up during break.
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MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 8:20:40 AM
From Margaret to Jansen
Let me guess, the coffee guy. And no. Darby + men = Bad Things Happen.
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E-MAIL SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 8:25:31 AM
From Margaret Lewis to Jen Lewis
Hey Mom – Texts and calls can’t seem to get past the mountain range. But we’ve made it. We’ll probably go skiing, I’ll try to fit some writing in, and Darby and Jansen will probably want to pull a few crazy stunts (read: fun, adventurous, but decidedly not life-threatening).
It’s a nice, cozy cabin for a sweet deal Darby found. Sorry again to miss Christmas this year. But she adamantly refused to go home, and we couldn’t let her head into the mountains alone. Darby hasn’t said much about it still, and I’m not sure how to bring it up. Should I wait for her to say something?
People confuse the heck out of me.
Love to Dad, Laurie, and Grinchkins.
Margaret
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GROUP MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 8:29:21 AM
From Juki to Mags, D-Chan
…I’m a man.
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GROUP MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 8:29:53 AM
From D-Chan to Juki, Mags
???
What else have you been keeping from us?
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GROUP MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 8:30:19 AM
From Juki to Mags, D-Chan
Wrong thread.
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MESSAGE SENT ON December 24, 2015 AT 8:31:20 AM
From Margaret to Jansen
Typical.
Pen and Fire 