Read Online Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer - Free Book Online

day!
    If a day goes by when I don’t email you, you complain.
    And if I send you fourteen emails in five hours, you still complain. I don’t seem to be able to do right by you at the moment, Emmi.
    Twenty seconds later
    Re: A good day!
    Not by email at any rate!!! I hope you have a nice evening,
    Mr. Leike.
    Four days later
    Subject: (no subject)
    Peekaboo!
    BW,
    Emmi
    The following day
    Subject: (no subject)
    If that’s what you call tactics, Leo, it’s pretty lame I must say! You can like me as much as you want, but I’m not writing to you anymore. See ya.
    Five days later
    Subject: (no subject)
    You haven’t been cut off, have you? I’m beginning to get worried. At least write “baa-aa” or something.
    Three minutes later
    Re:
    O.K., Emmi, let’s meet, I don’t care. Do you still want to?
    When? Today? Tomorrow? Day after tomorrow?
    Fifteen minutes later
    Re:
    Hark at him, back from the dead!—And now all of a sudden he seems to be in a hurry to meet me. Well, maybe I will. But first you’re going to have to explain to me why you haven’t been in touch for a week and a half. And it had better be good!!
    Ten minutes later
    Re:
    My mother died. Is that good enough?
    Twenty seconds later
    Re:
    Shit. Are you being serious? How?
    Three minutes later
    Re:
    On balance, bad luck. In the hospital they called it a “malignant tumor.” Fortunately it all happened pretty quickly. She wasn’t in pain for long.
    One minute later
    Re:
    Were you with her when she died?
    Three minutes later
    Re:
    Almost. I was in the waiting room with my sister. The doctors said it wouldn’t be a good time to see her. But I wonder when there could ever have been a better time.
    Five minutes later
    Re:
    Were you close? (I’m sorry, Leo, people always seem to ask the same questions.)
    Four minutes later
    Re:
    A week ago I’d have said no, we weren’t close at all. Today, though, I’m wondering what it is that’s eating away inside me, if not a “closeness.” But I don’t want to bore you with my family history, Emmi.
    Six minutes later
    Re:
    You’re not boring me at all, Leo. Do you want to meet up to talk about it? I might be just the right person under the circumstances. I’m on the very periphery of your life—and yet I’m also quite close to you. Just for once let’s do away with all the formalities—let’s meet up like good old friends.
    Ten minutes later
    Re:
    O.K., let’s. Thank you, Emmi! Shall we meet this evening?
    But I should warn you, my humor’s failing me again.
    Three minutes later
    Re:
    Dear, dear Leo,
    I can’t this evening. How about tomorrow, around 7? At some café in the center?
    Eight minutes later
    Re:
    The funeral’s tomorrow. But 7 p.m. should be fine. I’ll send you an email before 5. Then we’ll arrange exactly where to meet. O.K.?
    Ten minutes later
    Re:
    O.K., that sounds good. I’d love to be able to say something that might comfort you. But it might sound a bit like my “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” so I’d better not. I’m thinking of you. I can imagine how you’re feeling. I don’t even dare to wish you “good night,” because I’m sure tonight won’t be a good one for you. But I’ll be able to offer you some support tomorrow evening.
    See you soon!
    Emmi (and despite the awful circumstances, I’m looking forward to seeing you!)
    Five minutes later
    Re:
    I’m looking forward to it too!
    Leo
    The next day
    Subject: Sorry
    Dear Emmi,
    I’m afraid I’ve got to beg off this evening. I’ll tell you why tomorrow. Please don’t be angry. And thanks for your support. I really appreciate it.
    Best wishes,
    Leo
    Two hours later
    Re: No problem.
    Emmi
    The next day
    Subject: Marlene
    Dear Emmi,
    I spent yesterday evening with Marlene, my ex-girlfriend. She was at the funeral too. She really liked my