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She regards me shrewdly while Bob oozes impatience with his hangdog, hungry look.
"I'll take you shopping tomorrow," she says.
"Oh, Mom, you don't need to do that. I have plenty of clothes."
"Can't I do something for my own daughterCome on, Bob's starving."
"Too right," moans Bob, rubbing his stomach and assuming a fake pained expression.
I giggle as he rolls his eyes, and we head out the door.
Later when I'm in the shower, cooling under the lukewarm water, I reflect on how much my mother has changed. Seeing her at dinner, she was in her element, funny and flirty and amongst many friends at the golf club. Bob was warm and attentive... they seem so good for each other. I'm really pleased for her. It means I can stop worrying about her and second-guessing her decisions and put the dark days of Husband Number Three behind us both. Bob is a keeper. And she's giving me good advice. When did that start happening?
Since I met Christian. Why is that?
When I'm done, I dry myself quickly, keen to get back to Christian. There's an email waiting for me, sent just after I left for dinner a few hours ago.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Plagiarism
Date: May 31 2011 16:41
To: Anastasia Steele
You stole my line.
And left me hanging.
Enjoy your dinner.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Who are you to cry thief?
Date: May 31 2011 22:18 EST
To: Christian Grey
Sir, I think you'll find it was Elliot's line originally.
Hanging how?
Your Ana
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Unfinished Business
Date: May 31 2011 19:22
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele
You're back. You left so suddenly - just when things were getting interesting.
Elliot's not very original. He'll have stolen that line from someone.
How was dinner?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Unfinished Business?
Date: May 31 2011 22:26 EST
To: Christian Grey
Dinner was filling - you'll be very pleased to hear, I ate far too much.
Getting interestingHow?
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Unfinished Business - definitely
Date: May 31 2011 19:30
To: Anastasia Steele
Are you being deliberately obtuseI think you'd just asked me to unzip your dress.
And I was looking forward to doing just that. I am also glad to hear you are eating.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Well... there's always the weekend
Date: May 31 2011 22:36 EST
To: Christian Grey
Of course I eat... It's only the uncertainty I feel around you that puts me off my food.
And I would never be unwittingly obtuse, Mr. Grey.
Surely you've worked that out by now ;)
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Can't Wait
Date: May 31 2011 19:40
To: Anastasia Steele
I shall remember that, Miss Steele, and no doubt use the knowledge to my advantage.
I'm sorry to hear that I put you off your food. I thought I had a more concupiscent effect on you. That has been my experience, and most pleasurable it has been too.
I very much look forward to the next time.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Gymnastic Linguistics
Date: May 31 2011 22:36 EST
To: Christian Grey
Have you been playing with the thesaurus again?
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Rumbled
Date: May 31 2011 19:40
To: Anastasia Steele
You know me so well Miss Steele.
I am having dinner with an old friend now so I will be driving.
Laters, baby?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
Which old friend I didn't think Christian had any old friends, except... her. I frown at the screen. Why does he have to still see herSearing, green, bilious jealousy courses through me unexpectedly. I want to hit something, preferably Mrs. Robinson. Switching the laptop off in a temper, I clamber into bed.
I should really respond to his long email from this morning, but I'm suddenly too angry. Why can't he see her for what she is - a child molesterI switch off the light, seething, staring into the darkness. How dare sheHow dare she pick on a vulnerable adolescentIs she still doing itWhy did they stopVarious scenarios filter through my mind: he had had enough, then why is he still friends with herDitto her - is she marriedDivorcedJeez - does she have children of her ownDoes she have Christian's children My subconscious rears her ugly head, leering, and I'm shocked and nauseous at the thought. Does Dr. Flynn know about her?
I struggle out of bed and fire the mean machine up again. I am on a mission. I drum my fingers impatiently waiting for the blue screen to appear. I hit Google images and enter 'Christian Grey' into the search engine. The screen is suddenly littered with images of Christian: in black tie, be-suited, jeez - Jose's pictures from the Heathman, in his white shirt and flannel trousers. How did they get on the InternetBoy he looks good.
I move quickly on: some with business associates, then picture after glorious picture of the most photogenic man I know, intimately. IntimatelyDo I know Christian intimately I know him sexually, and I figure there's a lot more to discover there. I know he's moody, difficult, funny, cold, warm... jeez, the man is a walking mass of contradictions. I click to the next page. He's still on his own in all these photographs, and I remember Kate mentioning that she couldn't find any photographs of him with a date, prompting her g*y question. Then, on the third page, there's a picture of me, with him, at my graduation. His only picture with a woman, and it's me.