An optimist is a pessimist without all the facts.

Well, true. It could have been much worse. That’s so sad! I’m sorry. I mean, I suppose so, but you should get a finder’s fee, or something.

One might say that in a way, I do collect a finder’s fee. The excellent meals that they cook are payments enough. How will you be celebrating Thanksgiving, with family and friends or are you keeping things small, just you and Cooper? 

I know! I’ve missed your face around the shop! I’ll make sure I have something on the house for you when you do come! 

Had I known, I would have stopped by sooner than now, ha. What’s new? Is there anything I missed? You haven’t been picked in the last lottery, did you? 

The only time I shut it off is at night. I really should take your advice and try that on vacation. It sounds like a great idea. Is anybody else on the island? I don’t know if I’d want to be there alone. 

Smart thinking, and probably something I should do as well, switch my phone off at night. Not that I know off, well aside from the staff, but other than that I don’t think anybody is around. If you’d like some quiet company, I could do with a few days of warm sunshine. 

That sounds amazing, Steven. I hope you enjoyed it! 

I enjoyed it a lot. It had been a while that I had the afternoon off. Or had time to come visit your bakery, how have you been Briana? I’ll try to pop by as soon as possible. 

Nowhere all that fancy, or far– just to Cleveland. I certainly would have rather been here. Oh no, really? Do you at least get to take credit for the food?

Cleveland isn’t that bad of a place to be at for a few days. No lie, truly banned for life. No, I don’t, but that is okay. They did all the work, I merely looked up recipes,  they deserve the credit. 

[Private:] I think if he doesn’t have the whole town eating out of the palm of his hand, he sure as hell doesn’t want anyone to know it. My best guess? He gets to make Sebastian miserable. I don’t know why he seems to resent his own son so damn much, but you have no idea how good it is to see Sebastian push back. I know my family’s reasons for it, but anyone else’s motivations are purely educated guesses on my part – and with limited information, since I’ve only been here a year. Sounds like we need to make this a weekly thing, hmmmm?

[private] Agreed, he wouldn’t want anybody to know about such a thing. Very bad for the Smythe name. I am shaking my head, reading that. But It’s good to hear that Sebastian is pushing back. I doubt anybody knows their parents’ reasons for it, let alone others. No matter how long you lived here. -- It does, or perhaps a bi-weekly thing to start with? 

That sounds amazing. Just an afternoon on your own with no worries. Enjoy it just really enjoy it. With the holidays coming up you never know when you’re going to have another one.

Holidays or no holidays I’m always busy. It could be another few months before I have an entire afternoon to myself. I plan to enjoy it to the fullest. When was the last time you had an afternoon to yourself? 

Very much so, though I’m not sure if i’ve ever had a full vacation where I’ve ever shut my phone off completely. I really should try it this time, I guess it’s kind of hard when you run your own company. Well, I appreciate the offer very much. I wouldn’t want to impose or anything, on you or your family. 

Not too long ago I was like you, my phone was always on. Afraid I would miss a call that might be important. Until Matt invited me to his cabin in the middle of nowhere. No reception, it was glorious. I highly recommend it. Give it a try, even if you switch it off for a few hours. You wouldn’t impose.

[Private:] I don’t know, I get the feeling the esteemed Mayor Smythe would’ve picked just about anyone else to match with his son – Anderson, for example, that would’ve been a hell of a match for consolidating power within the core families. Then again, they’ve got a golden goose on their hands with this Hummel-Anderson match, so maybe he took one for the team. I hate to think what that might have meant for Sebastian if there had been an odd number in the lottery – would his father made sure he stayed matched to a woman? Just about any live music is near and dear to my heart, but jazz being particularly mellow is a nice choice after a long work week. Consider it done!

[private] Huh, so he has not as much sway within the counsel as you’d think he would have based on the fact that he’s the mayor of this town? That is what I always assumed. But what would he have gained from insisting that Sebastian would stay matched to a woman, other than Sebastian being utterly miserable?  I cannot believe I am saying this but I now can understand why my father insisted on sending me to a private school far away from all the mess that is upper-class Lima. Although I never understood why he signed not only me but also Em up, he was always very against this marriage law. Mother refuses to answer any of my questions about it. It’s frustrating to say the least.True, live music, good company, and a few drinks are a good way to end a busy week. 

You and me both. It wouldn’t surprise me, though – after the Jones family, I imagine Mayor Smythe’s heirs are some of the next in line to start feeling the pressure. If it happens, we’ll make the best of it, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your sake. It’s bullshit, that’s what it is. And matching you with a Smythe? Don’t get me wrong, I like Sebastian and Victoria seems great, but it almost seems like the Jones’ trying to keep an eye on you. Whatever generates clicks, I guess. Live jazz music is one of the fastest ways to my heart, Steven Stephens, I’m definitely in. Need me to get us a car so we don’t have to drive?

Private: I always wondered how random the entire process truly is. Is it exactly as they claim it to be, perfectly random or do they not so randomly assign matches. And are the couples that will receive a letter after the next letter already known within the Council. When Ellie and I got matched, I still believe that was truly a roll of the dice, but being matched to a Smythe, as a Stephens, it’s hard to not start thinking that there might be more behind it all. I would never have guessed that’s a way to your heart. Had I known I would have invited you along sooner. If it isn’t too much trouble, yes. I rather not walk all the way home. 

Sounds like exactly the reason I go to my apartment in New York. It’s nice to just spend some quiet time working alone. That’s nice of you to offer, I might just end up taking you up on it. 

It is nice to get away for a while, isn’t it? Switch off your phone and focus on nothing other than work. There are times I drive to Columbus to do that. If you do, I will need at least a week's notice to be able to get supplies over there. 

A business trip took me a way for a few days, but t’s nice to be back. How is everyone? Looking up Thanksgiving recipes in preparation? I am! Even though I have no shame in admitting I’m not much of a cook.

Where to did that business trip take you? That’s all I’m allowed to do since they banned me from the kitchen for life. I look up recipes and someone else prepares them.