November 24, 2012
Tori:
Dear Karsten,
It’s cold here. I wish they would pull a Lux Luther and make Idaho into beachfront property.
Karsten, you say you want to go places. What makes you think you can get there without going with someone who can handle the travel (Me)? It’s not love but is, instead, curiosity that prompts me to say these things. I just wonder what we could do together.
Sincerely, proddingly, provokingly, honestly, seriously,
Victoria L Barros
December 4, 2012
Karsten: I got your letter. It was very well decorated, I must admit.
Tori: Ya. I like collages.
December 10, 2012
Karsten: So
Your letter was cool
I don’t think I’ll be giving you a return letter
I’m too lazy. Also will you be in mad town for the celebration of our Lord’s birth
Tori: So.
Your texts are silly.
Yes.
I will be in town for that fiesta we call Christmas.
I know my letter was cool.
It was pure gold, actually.
Karsten: It’s not made of pure gold. That would be one great gift.
Tori:Which I’m sure you appreciate. If it had been, literally composed of pure gold, you wouldn’t have gotten it. Some skeezy mailman would have pocketed it. Pro-con list, you know.
Karsten: Indeed. But it was pure gold .
Especially the part when you, I don’t know, asked me to marry you?
At least that’s what it sounded like.
Tori:You wish that’s what I said. Refer to that line that says, “It’s not love that prompts me to say that, but is instead curiosity.” Curiosity, Karsten. It wasn’t really my idea.
It was supposed to be a slap in the face, a reality check. I was including you in this curious thought that occurred to me the week before Thanksgiving. I was including you in a hilarious idea that struck me from out of the blue.
Karsten: Got it, skippy. Thanks for the slap, lol.
Tori: A friendly slap. A jovial punch on the arm. The truth is, I never think about you, but the one time I did, I was in a good place, and saw, very clearly, myself say those things to you. In person. But I didn’t want to wait, and I figured we don’t talk anyway, so what was there to lose by acting on curious feelings? Nothing. I had nothing to lose. I didn’t receive revelation for you, I didn’t get any promises, just a curious, intriguing feeling. So I acted on it. I want to act on impressions so I know how to when it’s actually important. Don’t take it so seriously, Karsten. Don’t take yourself so seriously, I think it’s hilarious, the things I felt. So funny. Your text last week sent me into conniptions, it was so funny. The whole situation is funny. The really funny thing is that it was so worth it. Funnily enough, I was worth it, you were worth it. I meant what I wrote.
I never sent such a long text before.
Karsten: It took me AT LEAST 20 seconds to read. Don’t worry Tori, I didn’t take it seriously. I am merely prodding you for saying what you said.
Also, I brought it up to see your true opinion on the matter, seeing as your letter was impressively brief.
Tori:It was a serious letter. I meant it with complete sincerity, but… I did my job with the situation. I did my part. Now I continue on, living life, smiling and curious about what is next.
Karsten: Curiosity never killed any cats. Just stupidity. Cats are stupid.
Tori: Way to diffuse your tension. I like cats.
Karsten: So be curious and not stupid and not bi-curious. I applaud your ability to act on your impressions.
I like most of my friends, many of whom are also stupid.
Tori: I know they are. But not me. Good thing we have quarterly conversations.
