Better Late Than Never

From: Zeke Baylor

To: Sharpay Baylor; Chad Danforth; Taylor McKessie; Gabriella Montez; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans

Subject: A reminder

Guys, this is just a reminder that our Better Late Than Never Thanksgiving Celebration will be taking place at our place from brunch-time onwards on Saturday (aka tomorrow). I think I got a yes out of all you when I sent my last round of slightly threatening emails, but let me know if you intend to weasel out; I am planning the menu(s). Oh, Ryan, I tried to email Jaime about it but I think I must have the wrong address for her. Would you pass along the invitation?

And Danforth, brunch means mid-morning. Stopping in at ours at 8:30 on the way home from your morning run and then using our shower and leaving your wet socks over the towel rail DOES NOT COUNT.

Laters,

Z


From: Kelsi Cross

To: Zeke Baylor; Sharpay Baylor; Chad Danforth; Taylor McKessie; Gabriella Montez; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans

Subject: re: A reminder

Zeke,

Jase and I will be there. Is 11:00 OK with you?

Thanks so much for organizing this, we really missed you guys over Thanksgiving. Not that it wasn't great to see Jase's family, but no-one cooks turkey like you…

Can I bring anything?

Kels x


From: Sharpay Baylor

To: Chad Danforth; Taylor McKessie; Gabriella Montez; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans; Zeke Baylor

Subject: re: A reminder

Honey, you know you don't technically need to invite me to Thanksgiving dinner when we live in the same house and I'll probably have spent tonight hollowing out pumpkins or whatever…except the thought of pumpkin is making me want to vom right now so maybe not….anyway, it'll be cool to see you all (if you can all make it), what with baby stuff and Gabby's battle with Mr Folksy Charm (to name but a few), it's be a while since we properly caught up.

If the weather's fine, I was thinking maybe we could go up into the hills for a walk if your regime of cooking will allow, Zeke. It might be nice to walk off brunch before dinner is all I'm saying. And if it rains, we can just stay in and I will whip all your asses at Monopoly. I am always the little dog. Just in case any of you had forgotten.

Gah, got to run, the girls from layout are pacing and the print deadline is LOOMING,

See you all tomorrow, unless you're my husband, in which case I will see you later,

Shar xxx

PS: Zeke, we are out of Lucky Charms.


From: Zeke Baylor

To: Sharpay Baylor; Chad Danforth; Taylor McKessie; Gabriella Montez; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans

Subject: LUCKY CHARMS?

Lucky Charms? LUCKY CHARMS? What happened to the granola I made you? I researched that granola, Shar, I spoke to experts, I made graphs, I held taste testings. Nutrients, Sharpay, nutrients. These are things you need. These are things the baby needs. The baby does not need coloured marshmallows and frosted oats, I'll tell you that for free. Z x


From: Sharpay Baylor

To: Chad Danforth; Taylor McKessie; Gabriella Montez; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans; Zeke Baylor

Subject: re: LUCKY CHARMS?

The baby may not need coloured marshmallows and frosted oats, Zeke, but I do. I appreciate the granola, really, I do. It's actually very tasty. I like that you remembered how I hate dried banana. But first thing in the morning, when I've just finished VOMITING while you're merrily singing Sweet Child Of Mine in the shower, Lucky Charms are the only thing I can eat that doesn't make me want to hurl again. So it's that or nothing, big guy, and I know your thoughts on skipping meals. Oh, and you did not make graphs or hold taste testings. Did you?

Love you, what's for dinner tonight?

S x


From: Chad Danforth

To: Sharpay Baylor; Taylor McKessie; Gabriella Montez; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans; Zeke Baylor

Subject: They're always after me homemade granola!

You know, you guys should feel really free to have this fight about breakfast cereal in emails to all of us because as you know, the case I'm working on right now leaves me ample free time to check my inbox every five minutes for the next update on the Lucky Charm/Granola debate.

In reply to your question Zeke, yes, I will be coming tomorrow, although I'm afraid I will need to keep my beeper on me because my underlings in the office are pulling an all-weekender and I don't want to leave them fully stranded should something happen.

I'll see you guys tomorrow. 8:00 OK with you? Don't worry Shar, I'll bring my own towel…

Heh heh

Chad


From: Gabriella Montez

To: Chad Danforth; Sharpay Baylor; Taylor McKessie; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans; Zeke Baylor

Subject: re: re: LUCKY CHARMS?

Um, actually Shar, he did hold taste testings. Kels and Taylor and I ate about nine different versions before he hit upon the current formula. I realize Lucky Charms are stopping you from feeling gross in the morning, but when little Baylor arrives, I do recommend it, I am getting withdrawal symptoms.

Thanks for organizing this, Baylors, I'm really looking forward to it. Thanksgiving was not a very thankful time for me this year, but I'm hoping for the best. Maybe Mr Folksy Charm will toe the line and fit in and be a brilliant co-anchor and help make GMA twice the show it is today. And maybe Britney really will take my job and lead a dancercise segment at 8:30 every morning in a gold version of the catsuit she wore in the video for Oops!...I Did It Again.

Also, I'm not sure this is the best place to say this because it'll sound like I'm wanting sympathy and actually, I'm weirdly not, but I think I just broke up with Elliot. Or rather, I just told Elliot that we were over, so I'm fairly certain that I broke up with him. I know none of you are going to mourn the loss of the guy who never met you and, now that I think of it, kind of avoided you all like the plague, but I wanted to let you know that I'm fine. But that it would be really great if you'd make me chocolate chip pancakes tomorrow, Zeke. Ooh, and granola.

Love to you all, Gabby xx


From: Taylor McKessie

To: Gabriella Montez

Subject: Oh honey

I'm really sorry Gabs, I really, really am. Not that I don't think that you made the right decision; he did rather avoid meeting us, and he doesn't seem to really have spent much time getting to know you in the whole time you were dating, but I'm still sorry. Are you really OK? Do you want me to come over tonight? Chad's got plans with an old friend from University, and I was going to watch When Harry Met Sally and order in, but both those things can be moved to your place…

Let me know. Talk to you later, T xxx


From: Gabriella Montez

To: Taylor McKessie

Subject: re: Oh honey

Dinner at mine with you and Billy and Meg sounds delightful, McKessie, do you want to stay the night? I just bought a copy of the BBC Pride and Prejudice, we could make Jane Austen-themed snacks…I actually have no idea what a Jane Austen-themed snack is. Maybe I'll buy in some Ben and Jerry's on the way home.

I really am fine. Or at least, I am right now. Maybe it'll hit me later, maybe I'll start missing him. I just really, really don't right now.

Give me a ring when you're on lunch, OK? I'll be on my mobile all afternoon.

Lots of love, Gabs xx


From: Ryan Evans

To: Chad Danforth; Sharpay Baylor; Taylor McKessie; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Gabriella Montez; Zeke Baylor

Subject: re: re: re: LUCKY CHARMS?

Yep, I'll be there. Jaime won't be able to make it as she's flying to Oregon tonight for her high school reunion, but she said to thank you for the invitation.

I might be a bit late for brunch as the University Drama Society are auditioning for their production of Oklahoma! and some genius had the idea of having a panel in the style of American Idol to appraise everyone's singing and dancing talents. They have selected three members from the society but apparently they want a member of the faculty as well, which is fine by me as long as I'm not cast in the role of Paula Abdul. It's supposed to be starting fairly early, but I anticipate it going on later than planned, so I might not be with you until 12:00ish. Save me some of your consolation pancakes, eh Gabs? The guy didn't deserve you, by the way.

See you tomorrow,

Ryan


From: Zeke Baylor

To: Kelsi Cross; Sharpay Baylor; Chad Danforth; Taylor McKessie; Gabriella Montez; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans

Subject: re: re: A reminder

Thanks Kels, but I think I'm probably all set, food-wise, but I'll give you a ring tonight if I realize I'm going to be short of anything.

I think a walk would be really nice and yes, it's probably going to be a good idea to try and walk off brunch before dinner. Jase, do you still have the map we bought for that massive bike ride that you and me and Danforth did? I seem to remember there were some pretty cool trails in that…

My editor just came through and glanced at my screen and thankfully thought my menu for tomorrow was a restaurant review. I had better get on.

See you tomorrow,

Zeke

PS: Gabby, the dude was a loser.

PPS: Shar, I was thinking spaghetti carbonara and green salad.


From: Sharpay Baylor

To: Gabriella Montez

Subject: Zeke's right

Honey, he is a loser, and you definitely made the right choice, but that doesn't mean it won't hit you at some point, you know that, right? Just know that I'm here for you if that happens.

I just spoke to Tay, and I'm glad you've got plans with her tonight. She did invite me, but today has been so manic, I think I will pass and go home to my husband and his spaghetti. I don't want to miss out on the delightful Mr Darcy though, can we arrange another viewing some time?

Lots of love to you, hon, looking forward to seeing you tomorrow,

S xxxxx


From: Taylor McKessie

To: Sharpay Baylor; Chad Danforth; Zeke Baylor; Gabriella Montez; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans

Subject: re: A reminder

Zeke, I just spoke to your lovely wife, but just wanted to let you know that I am all set for tomorrow but unlike Chad, have managed to organise myself an underling-free weekend. So I can point and laugh at him when his beeper goes off.

Let me know if I can bring anything, and I am very willing to help tomorrow, I am a very good yam masher.

Thanksgiving Dinner! Woop!

Taylor xx


From: Chad Danforth

To: Sharpay Baylor; Taylor McKessie; Zeke Baylor; Gabriella Montez; Kelsi Cross; Jason Cross; Ryan Evans

Subject: re: A reminder

McKessie, any pointing and laughing you make now may come back to haunt you. Just remember that.

Zeke, I just got off the phone with a buddy from Georgetown, he's in town and we were going to meet up this evening but something's come up for him. Would it be OK if he joined us for dinner tomorrow? I wouldn't ask except he's new in town and I haven't seen him for years.

Actually, don't bother replying to this, I've just remembered you were trying to get on with your review, I'll give you a ring when I get home this evening.

Speak to you later,

C