We worked long hours together, sometimes into the wee hours of the night. I believe I recall one night when he left here about 2:30 am. He lives not four doors away, and we would often work an hour or two, take a break and then meet again. We must have called one the other at least a hundred times over the course of the 5 weeks, and we often met on Skype. We both are night owls, and sometimes, when i would open the computer at 3am (perhaps to read over another section of the book), he would be there on Skype and we would chit chat.
However, work was all we did! We sat side by side, intent on our computer screens (we used two computers) and involved in the task at hand. I won't say that we didn't have fun, share some laughs, and share with each other snippets, some quite personal, of our lives. You could say we were quite intimate on an intellectual level. But there was definitely NO hanky-panky! Hell, my husband was around and my kids were awake. The closest we got was some light flirty chatting through Skype...and it was VERY light...I can assure you!
Last Wednesday, at noon, we finished our intense work and sent the book off to the graphic artist. My task, for all intents, was done. But the next day, we met again, this time just for some help visiting the site of the book fair that he will be attending, signing up for membership, finding lists of publishers attending, etc. There is no question that my being able to read and understand English is a real timesaver! Part of this work was done at his place. I vaguely know his wife. It's a mere nodding acquaintance, but I couldn't figure out if I was getting "bad vibes" from her or not.
However, from that day on, I began to sense a certain "disconnection." Times when I knew he was online, and I would message him, I got no response. Once or twice I phoned him: he didn't pick up. I sent him some emails on various sundry matters, not the least being to know how it was going with printing (Hey! I put my time into this project, too...I also care to see it properly carried out, especially with my name in the credits!) No answer. What was going on? Did I say/do something wrong?
Let me point out here, that he gave me access to his email account, so I was following the development of the book as it was being digitally moved from hither to thither, and also the brochure and the business card that he was preparing. I am of too responsible a nature to see an error and let it go by uncommented (e.g. a missing capital letter on the business card, etc.) If I saw something, I emailed. And then I could see that he was passing on my comments to the others, but I got no acknowledgement from him. STRANGE.
I sent him an email:
"hey e...i've called, skyped and emailed and no response from you.
What's going on? L" I was feeling rather rejected and pissed!
I received an email:
"Hi L. wasssssa!!! I'm sorry for the disconnection.
I more then appreciate what you have done for me. I'll come over to your house in the afternoon to pay you for your credit card and to give you a copy of my second book. we'll talk then. take care"
To get to the punchline. Yesterday when he popped by to repay me for some online purchase I made for him, and I was told that there was some "balagan" with the Mrs. and he had to "lay low" for a while.
Whaaaa??? So, what does this mean? Is he "in trouble" for spending too much money on this book venture, for spending too much time away from her (moshe was also getting a bit miffed and sulky, but surely there was no "balagan") or is it for spending wee hours in the presence of ME? Is she jealous?
And where does it leave me? Can I email him? Does she check his emails? Does she read his Skype history when he's not around (remember i mentioned the light flirting)? Does she get printouts from the phone company? (Do you know that most cheating spouses are caught when the other half checks out the phone company bill...that's from Oprah!) I have "other issues" that I want to be in touch with him: a job for my son, help vis a vis some software for the computer....
I feel stifled and frustrated.
Yesterday, I was looking at some of the proofs (in his email) and i noticed a mistake in MY name!!!!
My email:
" i noticed a mistake re my name on the title page. i don't know if you noticed and corrected it.
I actually was wondering if you need to include my name at all....generally editors aren't included. Is it too late to take care of this? L
His response:
"I think that you work was a blessed [sic] and it is much more important then what A___ did. You deserve a dedication in the book. I called S and asked her to correct the mistake. i hope that she will make it. Thank you for noticing ;-"
I DO miss our connection....however, at this point, I will keep it to a minimum.
End of entry.
