During the six months that the book was in transit there was ongoing communication.
Some of it was between me and Patrick Rothfuss's assistant. She contacted me to confirm the book had arrived and asked for a confirmation of what should be written. I had asked originally for him to draw a picture on the inside cover. It could be anything and certainly needn't be of artist quality, just something novel. Courtney has a sense of humour and I figured it would tickle her pink. We agreed on a short phrase and I accepted that Patrick may be an exceptional writer but felt intimidated at the idea of drawing and so he needn't do the sketch.
There was communication between me and the people in the collective family and friends circles of both Courtney and myself.
First, I told Courtney's housemate Sam. I needed to keep up a little bit of hype while the book was away so there was a bit of excitement when it returned. Courtney discovered the book missing within two minutes of me sneaking the book from her shelf so she definitely knew about the loss. She was misguided in jumping to the conclusion that the book had been taken from her house a few weeks earlier during a New Years Eve party. I was dishonest and encouraged this train of thought. Sam was charged with keeping up this idea too. Sam also had to make sure Courtney didn't become horrifically distressed at the loss.
The same afternoon I told my mum about my feat and my plan. Mum was very concerned. She thought I should at the least tell Debbie and Wayne, Courtney's parents, so they knew about the great deception. She also thought I shouldn't do it, and should at least tell Courtney about the plan. I delayed the postage by a few weeks while I pondered this logic. I almost grew a conscience. Almost
By the same evening Courtney had posted a big tragic plea message on Facebook announcing a terrible theft and begging for the wrongdoer to come forward. I had a giggle quietly. Sam made a supportive comment like the great person she is. So many other people offered sympathy. I was quietly very pleased with how this was going (perhaps you think I'm evil?)
That week my mother went to Courtney's sister (they both live close to each other in Lake Grace) and spilled the story. the sister, Rhiannon, contacted me about it and so I shared the story in full and asked for her help and silence too.
As time went on I shared the secret with one of the girls' cousins also, and I kept up as much communication as I could with all parties so that everyone knew it was on track. They may say they heard little from me, but to be honest there was little I received myself to be going on with.
The book came back to me in July. I have had troubles with Cerebral Vasculitis this year and was in a rather bad situation around the middle of the year. I was worried I would forget the book, or it would be lost and so I sent an email request to Patrick's assistant politely asking when the book would come back. It arrived a week before my birthday in August. I asked Courtney over for a special dinner, it was urgent she be over before too much time went past. She thought the end had come for me, health-wise. I just didn't want to wait until her birthday in October.
She was surprised. And more. Ecstatic. Overjoyed. Tickled Pink at the even greater surprise that there was a stick-man sketch inside (!!!)
I have kept all the receipts and documents to give to Courtney. I have printed the emails. I filmed my sending and her opening the gifts (I cannot find those filed right now though sorry!)
All that I have left to say here is this:
Courtney,
For all that you do and all that you have done
For all that you are and all you will be
For every moment of your life
You deserve only the best.
Thank you for being my best friend.
I love you.
From Jessie
Some of it was between me and Patrick Rothfuss's assistant. She contacted me to confirm the book had arrived and asked for a confirmation of what should be written. I had asked originally for him to draw a picture on the inside cover. It could be anything and certainly needn't be of artist quality, just something novel. Courtney has a sense of humour and I figured it would tickle her pink. We agreed on a short phrase and I accepted that Patrick may be an exceptional writer but felt intimidated at the idea of drawing and so he needn't do the sketch.
There was communication between me and the people in the collective family and friends circles of both Courtney and myself.
First, I told Courtney's housemate Sam. I needed to keep up a little bit of hype while the book was away so there was a bit of excitement when it returned. Courtney discovered the book missing within two minutes of me sneaking the book from her shelf so she definitely knew about the loss. She was misguided in jumping to the conclusion that the book had been taken from her house a few weeks earlier during a New Years Eve party. I was dishonest and encouraged this train of thought. Sam was charged with keeping up this idea too. Sam also had to make sure Courtney didn't become horrifically distressed at the loss.
The same afternoon I told my mum about my feat and my plan. Mum was very concerned. She thought I should at the least tell Debbie and Wayne, Courtney's parents, so they knew about the great deception. She also thought I shouldn't do it, and should at least tell Courtney about the plan. I delayed the postage by a few weeks while I pondered this logic. I almost grew a conscience. Almost
By the same evening Courtney had posted a big tragic plea message on Facebook announcing a terrible theft and begging for the wrongdoer to come forward. I had a giggle quietly. Sam made a supportive comment like the great person she is. So many other people offered sympathy. I was quietly very pleased with how this was going (perhaps you think I'm evil?)
That week my mother went to Courtney's sister (they both live close to each other in Lake Grace) and spilled the story. the sister, Rhiannon, contacted me about it and so I shared the story in full and asked for her help and silence too.
As time went on I shared the secret with one of the girls' cousins also, and I kept up as much communication as I could with all parties so that everyone knew it was on track. They may say they heard little from me, but to be honest there was little I received myself to be going on with.
The book came back to me in July. I have had troubles with Cerebral Vasculitis this year and was in a rather bad situation around the middle of the year. I was worried I would forget the book, or it would be lost and so I sent an email request to Patrick's assistant politely asking when the book would come back. It arrived a week before my birthday in August. I asked Courtney over for a special dinner, it was urgent she be over before too much time went past. She thought the end had come for me, health-wise. I just didn't want to wait until her birthday in October.
She was surprised. And more. Ecstatic. Overjoyed. Tickled Pink at the even greater surprise that there was a stick-man sketch inside (!!!)
I have kept all the receipts and documents to give to Courtney. I have printed the emails. I filmed my sending and her opening the gifts (I cannot find those filed right now though sorry!)
All that I have left to say here is this:
Courtney,
For all that you do and all that you have done
For all that you are and all you will be
For every moment of your life
You deserve only the best.
Thank you for being my best friend.
I love you.
From Jessie