I don’t give a shit about taking down Kathy Connery—she has no future anyway. But Caparelli . . . that’s a whole ’nother story. He’s got no idea what I have in store for him!!
Stef, I’m gonna need you to talk to Stacey for me. I know she is still shutting us out because of Justin, but I need you to find a way to communicate to her that I am gonna need her support. Having the most beautiful/popular girl in this town on my side when the shit hits the fan is gonna send a very strong signal to everyone: Chris Caparelli can’t just go around cheatin’ on Tara Maureen Murphy and get on with his life, eXXXXpecially when Tara has Stef Campbell and Stacey Simon on her side!
Stef, if it wasn’t for you plowin’ down Stacey Simon on Nantucket I would never be in this power position. I can’t thank you enough. You should ride over popular people more often (tee-hee, tee-hee)—thank god I’m gettin’ my sense of humor back. (I know you must be like, “There’s my Tara.”)
This has been such a tryin’ time, Stef. But it’s almost over. Thank you for bein’ you, and tell Stace I thank her in advance for bein’ on my side.
I LITERALLY LOVE YOU!
Tara
Um, hey Matt,
What’s up, Kid? The funniest thing in the history of New England just happened . . . I just saw you talkin’ to Stacey Simon. At first I saw you guys from a distance (you know F Hall . . . long as a summer’s day), and I was like, “Maybe Matt Bloom lost his way in this huge school. Maybe he needed an early dismissal slip so he was goin’ to Mr. Flaherty’s office but he got lost and couldn’t find it and so he asked a Senior for directions and the reason Matt Bloom and the Senior were laughin’ was because the Senior recalled her days of bein’ a Freshman and gettin’ directionally confused, too. So they were laughin’ because of that common ground.” But then as I got closer and things came a bit more into view, I was like, “Did Matt Bloom just hug Stacey Simon? That’s not a typical thing for a lost FRESHMAN to do to a SENIOR, let alone a SENIOR such as STACEY SIMON. Hmmm . . .”
You do know that Stacey Simon is a very dear friend of mine, right? She’s wicked private and is goin’ thru sooo much right now, and well, Matt, you can’t just go around huggin’ Seniors, hon. I’m wicked protective of my closest friends, and Matt . . . even though she’s Stacey Simon she is a person, too. She breathes and feels and has ups and downs just like everyone.
Sooo, what’s the scoop here? Were you sad and just needed a hug from the first person you saw? You shoulda come to me, Silly.
Tara
Hey Tara—
Oh, you did? You saw Stacey and me talking? We had a pact that we wouldn’t really talk in school, but we didn’t think anyone could see us, but . . . well, I guess you did.
Okay. Stacey and I have been hanging out. Long story, but she had lost her jean jacket (not sure if you knew that) and I happened to be the one who found it and we just got to know each other through that and stuff.
I know she is a wicked private person. So am I. She and I definitely have that “common ground.” We wanted to keep our relationship to ourselves. But . . . well . . .
See you at sundown at the bottom of my street!
Matt
Stef,
Did you know Stacey and that annoying Matt Bloom kid have been hanging out? Did you know that he was the one who found her jean jacket? Did you know all of this and keep it from me? Who are you? I am in such a state of shock right now I am actually for the first time in my life speechless.
Not sure why I’m even telling you this, but I am aborting my mission to ruin Christopher. Change of plans.
Later,
Tara
Rick, Allen, Joshua . . . GODDD, what is your name? Rat, Fat . . . oh yeah, Matt.
Are you outta your Freshman mind writin’ me that you’ll meet me at the bottom of your street? Not in this lifetime, Kid!!
Couple a things: Stop copying how I use my (parentheses), and can you transfer to another school?
Tara Maureen Murphy-Caparelli (SENIOR!!!!!)
P.S. Oh, you’re not sure if I was in the know about MY VERY GOOD FRIEND STACEY SIMON losing her jean jacket? I invented bein’ in the know, you child!!
Dearest the Most Gorgeous Man in the Western Hemisphere,
Christopher, I love you more than anyone has ever loved anyone. Without you I am just some random brunette. I’ve been thinkin’, Christopher. Remember that claddagh ring I was admirin’ at Shoppers World? I know you had said once that you would buy it for me to prove to the town that I’m your girl. I wasn’t ready for that then, as I was foolish and immature. It’s 1992, C.P.C. I’ve grown up so much you just wouldn’t believe it. I’m ready for that ring now, My Six-Packed Man (you are like Pac Man but Six-Pac Man . . . get Atari on the phone!). I am ready for this town to know that I am YOUR GIRL! So . . . what’d’ya think?
I love you and you make me a better person.
Your Girlfriend . . .
Tara
P.S. I am dying my hair back to blond!!
FEBRUARY 1992
Dear Mi Amor,
I just keep lookin’ down at my hand and smilin’. I honestly might have to start wearin’
