Binary

Image by Muhammad Ribkhan from Pixabay 

To: jdvaras@hotmail.com
From: Unknown Sender
Subject: Remember Ringing Rocks

Hey babe,

I hope you didn’t delete. I don’t think you would. Hell, maybe you don’t even use this email anymore. How long has it been? It feels like yesterday to me. I was there in the May sunshine laying in your arms and then a pain that started small and then my brain exploded or that’s what it felt like. I don’t really know how else to explain it. I know I’m dead and chances are I wouldn’t open this email either if the roles were reversed. But I guess I would because of Ringing Rocks.

Did you find a new woman? I hope so. I don’t want you pining away for me. I’m dead. I know this. I wish I could see you. But it’s not like the stories. This heaven, if you want to call it that. I can’t see anything. Even writing this required a freak solar storm. And for a brief moment, I saw how the world changed. I don’t know the current year. I don’t see anything. I don’t feel anything but I hear voices.

I don’t know how much time I have. I wish I could give you more answers. But remember the old family story about the gold pieces that my great grandpappy stole from Blue Beard and he buried it somewhere. It’s true. Great Grandpappy said it was. JD, go to the old farmhouse walk east to the woods and there is a tree that looks like a Y. Under the roots is the chest. Take it JD and be happy. I’m here waiting for you.

Love you,
G.

To: bigballz@hotmail.com
From: jdvaras@hotmail.com
Subject: Help!

I think I’m going crazy.  I just got an email from Greta. It has to be a glitch right?

To: elise.johnson@meadows.org
From: jdvaras@hotmail.com
Subject: Need to talk to you!

Dr. Johnson,

It’s urgent that I speak with you right away. I am seriously losing my mind. You said I was getting better, but I can’t be. I just got an email from Greta. It’s got to be a sick joke right. I tried to make an appointment but the soonest you can see me in is in July. Could you spare a few minutes and call me? Please, I’m desperate.

JD Varas

To: jdvaras@hotmail.com
from: bigballz@hotmail.com
Subject: Greta

Why don’t we go? The woods are still there. What would it hurt? Buddy, you need closure Greta’s gone now for five years. I’m worried about you. I rented a car for this weekend. I’ll pick you up at 9 and we’re going to get this treasure.

To: jdvaras@hotmail.com
From: elise.johnson@ meadows.org

JD,

I have been trying to call you for days. I am worried about you. As you know, grief changes a person. I am afraid that our offices were hacked and someone is playing a sick joke on you. I am worried that it is someone trying to do something nefarious and you take the blame. I have alerted the police.

Please call. I told my assistant to schedule you right away, even after hours.

Dr. Elise Johnson

To: bigballz@hotmail.com
From: jdvaras@hotmail.com
Subject: This weekend.

I’m not going this weekend. I talked to my shrink and someone is playing a joke on me. That’s what she said.

In a way, I was really hoping Greta wrote. I want to believe that she is not really gone. Is that really so wrong? I’m trying to get over her. But nothing I do works. She’s everywhere. She’s in all the clothes I wear, all the furniture I sit on, the bed I sleep on. I swear I see her shape in the shadows.

The shrink is upping my meds. We’ll see how it goes.


To: jdvaras@hotmail.com
From: bigballz@hotmail.com
Subject: You ain’t ditching me.

If I have to hog tie you and throw you in the trunk, then so be it. You need this. You need to get out. You need to do something. Greta wouldn’t want you wallowing.



To: jdvaras@hotmail.com
From: penny.micheals@eandm.com
Subject: Blue Beards coins

Good afternoon JD,

Sorry, it took me so long to get back to you. The coin you gave me has been authenticated and it appears to be from the right time frame of Blue Beard’s missing treasure. This is an incredible find. Are you looking for someone appraise the collection for insurance or for sale?

We need the entire collection for a full appraisal. If you want to sell, the appraisal is free. For insurance, the appraisal will cost $540. This includes related paperwork.

Thank you for letting touch this wonderful piece of American history. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing more of the collection.

Take care,
Penny

To: jdvaras@hotmail.com
From: bigballz@hotmail.com
Subject: Treasure

What are you going to do with the rest of the treasure? Are you going to keep it or sell it?

You didn’t have to give me any. But... I bought the garage with the money. I’ll be opening Cuztomz next month. I have a huge party planned. You will be there, right. Strike that. You will be there. It’s all because of you I get to open this shop anyway.

I don’t think I could ever repay you.

To: jdvaras@hotmail.com
from: penny.micheals@eandm.com
Subject: Final paperwork

Good morning JD,

The sale is complete and we need to come in to sign the final paperwork. The cashier’s check is also available for pick up.

Take care,

Penny.


To: bigballz@hotmail.com
From: jdvaras@hotmail.com
Subject: I’ll be there.

I don’t think I could ever repay you for all that you did for me over the few last years. Without you, I don’t know where I would be. And I know you hate mushy shit. I just thought you should know.

You’re like a brother to me. And you’re right finding the treasure has brought me closure with Greta. And you’re right, she wouldn’t want me wallowing.

I think I am going to try living again. I’m going to start with your grand opening party. Could you maybe have a chick set up for me? I need to stop using my hand.  I need to live once again.

To:jdvaras@hotmail.com
From: tshad@cammyshouse.org
Subject: Thank You!

Dear Mr. Varas,

From all of us at Cammy’s House, we want to thank you for your generous donation of $1.5 million dollars.  With this money, we will be building a new shelter and naming it after your late wife, Greta Varas.  In addition, scholarships will be set up to assist battered women to better themselves.

You probably hear this all the time. But Greta was amazing. So beautiful, so much strength. When she met you, I remembered how she seemed to float. And she was so scared because of her first husband. But we all knew you were different. I wanted to call so many times, but I never knew what to say.  I miss Greta every day. She has touched so many women here at the shelter. She was the inspiration for all our women that they could do better and make it in this world. And I know it wasn’t fair that she was taken from you, from us, from this world.

If you ever want to talk, just call.

Take care, JD.

Tabby Shad