Chapter Six

April 11

A QUICK CHAT with my lawyer is about as productive as I thought it would be. I can send a letter demanding that the photos be taken down from the Gossip A to Z website and potentially sue them, but the story has already spread like wildfire, and it would be tough to undo the damage. Any lawsuit would probably just garner more media attention anyway. And it would be expensive. I suddenly understand that the people behind this website definitely know what they are doing.

And that’s another thing that has me agitated today: who is behind all of this? Covering my Plan is one thing, but there seems to be some real vitriol in the text. It feels personal. Maybe that’s because it’s happening to me and I feel completely attacked, but something tells me the person or persons involved want to hurt specifically me.

I have no idea how they’ve been able to get the pictures they’ve posted, and my only thought is they must have hired a private investigator to follow me. It’s a terribly unsettling feeling and I’ve been peering out of my windows for two days straight trying to catch a glimpse of whoever it could be. If I ever leave my house again, and that’s a pretty big if, I’ll be looking over my shoulder constantly.

I’ve heard from Ken and Peter, who mostly find it both mildly amusing and annoying. They’ve assured me I needn’t worry about what this will do to their careers and Ken even went so far as to share that he’s already gotten a couple of dates out of it. Figures. I get shamed and he gets laid.

I haven’t heard from Javier and he’s the one I’m most worried about. As a teacher, I’m sure it’s not great for his students to see him online under these circumstances, but at least our picture was relatively innocent. And, since he went first, his seems the most innocuous. He hasn’t responded to my texts and neither has Kim, who I’m sure is also finding a renewed sense of anger toward me.

Meg, Eric, and Carter have all been great, and even Sam has been really sweet, bringing me food and updates from the store. Surprisingly, business is booming, and it sounds like customers are so far more curious to try to catch a glimpse of me instead of being turned off by my sinful ways. Or whatever the website is trying to convince them.

I keep having to resist the urge to reply to the email that sent me the photos in the first place, as I know anything I write will just end up posted for all the world to see. It doesn’t stop me from opening a draft to vent a bit every few hours, but I haven’t hit send on any of them and don’t intend to.

I’ve just finished writing another scathing response I won’t send, when I see a new message come in from Jess. In all the hubbub over my former boyfriends, I forgot that I still need to think about my next one. I hold my breath and open the message, bracing myself for a rejection letter in light of everything that’s happened.

Dear Cynthia,

I just heard about that awful blog stuff and wanted to see if you’re okay. I hate that shit. Sorry for swearing in one of our first communications, but I have no tolerance for people who make money by humiliating others. I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and hope you’re still moving forward with everything as planned so I can get my chance to take you out next month. Just like Luke said to Lorelai on their first date, “I’m in. I am all in.”

Hoping you are too,

Jess

 

Dear Jess,

Not only am I still definitely in, but I am even more excited to meet you now than I was before. I’ve never met someone who could quote Gilmore Girls as well as I can. You’re definitely earning some points. Oh, and I also can’t thank you enough for being so understanding. There’s a very real chance that pictures of us may be posted to this ridiculous site over the course of next month. If you’re sure you’re up for that, I’ll see you soon.

Cynthia/Rory