He awoke on the morning of the third day. The wind had died down, but not much. It was still uncomfortably loud. He probably wasn’t going to go ice fishing today either, but what was really on his mind was wondering if his mystery sender had responded. Instead of later in the day, today he booted up his computer first thing that morning, after a breakfast of fish.
His mystery sender had indeed responded. He anxiously clicked it open:
Neville,
I am overjoyed to hear from you again. That alone has made me very happy.
Until I see you again…
It seemed like there should be a signature there, but there wasn’t. Neville sat frozen in his chair, unable to look away. Now things had gone from comical to straight creepy. What did this person mean with ‘again’? And his name! How did this person know his name?!
Dear what’s your face:
I’m not interested in whatever you want from me, be it your new hot date or whatever slimy, underhanded marketing ploy you have up your sleeve to win favours from me. It won’t work. Now leave me be. Or else.
He had no idea what he was going to follow that thread up with, but it seemed like a good, sharp note to end it on. He sent the e-mail away, hoping now that this was the last he’d hear from his secret admirer, yet somehow knowing it wouldn’t be.
He shut the computer off. Suddenly he was overcome with the need to escape the house. It was blustering outside and the snow was thick, but the much-needed fresh air would do him good. He went to his bedroom drawers to pull on long underwear, followed by warm clothes, then to his closet to pile on sweatshirt after sweatshirt. He finished the set with his thick, heavy parka, the one who reserved for days like these.
The cold was hard and biting today, attacking him for all sides the moment he stepped outside. He pulled his scarf around tightly, but the icy stinging still hit him hard in the unprotected upper area of his face. Once he forced his aching bones to get walking, however, he was happy he’d done so. Within minutes, his computer and the creepy message were all but forgotten.