The Click Trilogy (58 page)

From: Shelley Manning – October 12, 2013 – 9:20 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Give me a break, Renee.  Can we continue this conversation another time…say never?!?!

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 10:13 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Hey.  I thought I would be the first to reach out.  I know how hard it is for you to apologize, so I'm being the bigger person here by saying that I forgive you.

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 10:15 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Forgive me?  Forget you!  If anyone should be apologizing, it's you!

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 10:19 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Are you serious?  I've already lost my job (and my identity for that matter) and you're making me feel bad for being upset that I'm losing you, too?

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 10:23 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

You're not losing me!  I am here for you and I always have and always will be.  But honestly, Sweetie, I cannot continue to bear the weight of your world on my remarkably supple shoulders.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 10:27 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

I'm not asking you to be my world.  I just would hope that when I need you, you're there for me and not off gallivanting with your new buddy Amber.  And lately, I don't feel like you've been there for me.

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 10:35 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

You're the most together person I know.  You don't need me.  You can manage on your own.  If anyone's life is a struggle right now, it's me.  Do you think it was easy to pick up and move thousands of miles away (for a man, no less!) to a place where I knew no one, have no workplace, no friends, no support?

I need to focus on building a life here and I need your support for once.  I need you to stop making me feel guilty for trying to be happy here.  I need you to stop feeling so insecure about a new friend I've made.  And I need the time to move on a bit.  I want to be there for you, but if I'm always solving your problems, I won't solve my own and move on.

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 2:43 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Radio silence!  Don't you have anything to say?

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:02 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

I'm so sorry, Shel.  You've never mentioned that anything has been difficult.  I just assumed you were fine.

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:12 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Well, I'm not.  It's been really hard and hearing you bitch and moan all of the time over shit that is so easily resolved, just doesn't help matters.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:14 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Why haven't you said anything to me about this before?

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:16 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Not everyone wears their heart (and every emotion they have) on their sleeve.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:18 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Oh, Shel!  I've been an awful and selfish friend.  I'm sorry.  So, so sorry.  What can I do for you?

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:21 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

You're not awful and you're not selfish.  Just be understanding when I don't call you back right away with the perfect advice for your crisis de jour.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:22 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

I can do that.  What else?

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:23 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

That's it.  Just cut me some slack, okay?

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:23 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

I will.  Again, I'm so sorry.

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:24 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Okay.  Stop apologizing.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:25 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Is Nick aware that all is not blissful on your end?

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:28 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

He is.  Even though I'm not a complainer, he can sense when days are rough.  He's being supportive about things and introducing me to friends, encouraging me to get out more and meet people, etc.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:29 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

That’s good!

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:32 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Listen, I have to run.  I'm taking a yoga class and it starts in 30.  But I will call you when I'm back and we can talk through your identity crisis.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:33 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Yoga?

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:36 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Yeah, yeah.  I know.  I've always mocked those pretzels for their bendable poses.  But I'm finding it relaxing and it seems to be a good way to make some new friends up here.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:38 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Okay, Gumby.  But no need to call – unless you just want to chat or talk about you.  I'm going to address this on my own.

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:40 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Gumby?!?  If that wasn't so damn funny, I would be offended.  Gumby it is.

From: Renee Greene – October 14, 2013 – 3:41 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Enjoy!

From: Shelley Manning – October 14, 2013 – 3:31 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Where's the love?

Talk soon, sweetie.  Mwah! Mwah!

From: Shelley Manning – October 16, 2013 – 4:25 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Smooth like velvet!

Sweetie, my sincerest thanks.  You didn't need to do that.  But I'm oh-so-glad that you did.  Might need to hit yoga a few extra times to work off the calories, but that taste of home was well worth it.

From: Renee Greene – October 16, 2013 – 4:31 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Smooth like velvet!

I'm so glad the cupcakes – my effort to "smooth" things over – arrived safely to you.  I figured if you are missing home and I can't fly up to see you, then red velvet goodness would be the next best thing.

From: Shelley Manning – October 16, 2013 – 4:34 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Smooth like velvet!

It is a close second, for sure.  Thanks again!  How are you doing today?  Feeling better?

From: Renee Greene – October 16, 2013 – 4:42 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Smooth like velvet!

I've decided to embrace the identity crisis.  So for Ethan's work Halloween party, that's what I'm going as – an identity crisis.  I'm going to wear nametags with 50 different names all over my body.

From: Shelley Manning – October 16, 2013 – 4:44 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Smooth like velvet!

Ha-larious!  Gotta run.  Hitting the yoga studio again.  Will try calling you later.

From: Renee Greene – October 16, 2013 – 4:45 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Smooth like velvet!

Okay, Gumby.  Bend away.  ;)

From: Renee Greene – October 20, 2013 – 11:31 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Gumby a go-go or Gumby a no-no?

How is yoga going?

From: Shelley Manning – October 20, 2013 – 11:34 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Gumby a go-go or Gumby a no-no?

While I'm grateful for this morning's class which reminded me to take care of myself and BREATHE, I seem to forget that lesson soon after leaving the mat.

From: Renee Greene – October 20, 2013 – 11:37 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Gumby a go-go or Gumby a no-no?

Things are better when they are allowed to breathe.  Have a glass of red wine and prove me right.

From: Shelley Manning – October 20, 2013 – 11:38 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Gumby a go-go or Gumby a no-no?

Namaste!

From: Renee Greene – October 20, 2013 – 11:38 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Gumby a go-go or Gumby a no-no?

What does that even mean?

From: Shelley Manning – October 20, 2013 – 11:39 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Gumby a go-go or Gumby a no-no?

I bow to the spirit within you.

From: Renee Greene – October 20, 2013 – 11:43 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Gumby a go-go or Gumby a no-no?

Aha!  Well, I appreciate that you are bowing down to me like the goddess I am.  (Boy, that's something you would say!)  And knowing you, you'll be bowing down to some "spirits" soon.

From: Shelley Manning – October 20, 2013 – 11:44 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Gumby a go-go or Gumby a no-no?

Indeed!

From: Shelley Manning – October 22, 2013 – 9:04 AM

To: PBCupLover

Subject: Tell the truth

I'm sure Renee has filled you in on all of our recent "discussions."  She's now being super chipper and overly concerned about me and my life.  Tell the truth, how is she doing?

From: PBCupLover – October 22, 2013 – 10:31 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Tell the truth

Honestly, not great.  She really defined herself with that job for a long time and now she's not really sure who she is.  She could use some cheering up, for sure.  I know you've got a lot on your plate and are focusing on yourself – as you should be. But if you've got the chance, check in with her. I  know she'll appreciate it.

From: Shelley Manning – October 22, 2013 – 10:33 AM