Julie Seagle
I don't need tuxedos to be impressed.
Finn is God
Hm...
Finn is God
What do you need?
Julie Seagle
Still trying to figure that one out.
And so it went for the next two hours. Finn IM'd her more pictures, gave her more details on his many trips, and asked lots of questions about her classes, her family, her friends. She didn't mention Seth because... Look, Finn didn't specifically ask. And she didn't know exactly where she stood with Seth, so there wasn't much to say right now anyway. Was he a real boyfriend? Or were they just dating casually?And, yes, she kept flirting. Because it was harmless and fun, and truthfully, she just couldn't help herself. There was something extraordinarily intoxicating about this Finn.
Finn is God
OK, so Thanksgiving didn't work out so well for you. Winter break? Will it be a step up?
Julie Seagle
Of course. But I'll be in California with my Dad for three weeks, so I'll miss Mom's stockings and trees and lights.
Julie Seagle
Illuminated reindeer statues on the lawn, drunk Santa at the mall, pop stars releasing carol collections, etc. What more could a girl want?
Finn is God
Hold on. Are you anti-Christmas?
Julie Seagle
Nah. Just kidding! I love Christmas. Mom covers the entire living room in white twinkle lights and puts real candles on the tree.
Julie Seagle
On Christmas Eve, I slide under the tree and look up through the branches at the lights. Hokey, but my tradition.
Finn is God
Do you lie there and make a wish for the New Year?
Julie Seagle
Exactly. Silly, I guess.
Finn is God
What do you wish for?
Julie Seagle
Depends on the year. Could be to marry some dopey teen idol.
Julie Seagle
Or to get stranded on a deserted island with Prince Charming and an endless supply of sunscreen.
Finn is God
So your Christmas tradition is centered on cute boys, huh?
Julie Seagle
I never said they were lofty fantasies.
Finn is God
Oh, now they're FANTASIES are they? So you need to be alone for this tradition, I guess... *cough, cough*
Julie Seagle
Very funny. I'll go with "dreams" then. Not just about cute boys (although I guess that has been a theme), but more about being... I don't know... generally satisfied. Content. Complete. I don't know... It sounds lame when I say it. (Or type it.)
Julie Seagle
Dreaming about the future. Wondering what's ahead for me. Coming-of-age nonsense. Corny.
Finn is God
It's not nonsense. I think that's very cool.
Julie Seagle
Very cool until hot wax falls from the branches and burns my eyeballs. That actually happened. Candles on the tree=dangerous fire hazard. But what's a holiday without a little danger?
Julie Seagle
Oh look! There's the risk-taking behavior you were looking for!
Finn is God
That's pushing it, kid.
Finn is God
Maybe you're not cut out for real danger. That's OK. Not all my interests run the risk of crashing thousands of feet. Done the Boston Polar Plunge a few times. That doesn't involve heights.
Julie Seagle
What's that?
Finn is God
Boston crazies put on swimsuits and plunge into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day. Rather quick swim due to frigidly cold/awful water.
Finn is God
News crews love this story.
Julie Seagle
*groan* Yeah, this sounds really fun. Unfortunately I won't be in Boston for this event otherwise I'd totally do it.
Finn is God
Liar! You would not! But it's awesome. Sucks going in, but great on the way out. A shock to the system in a good way.
Finn is God
Would go this year but will be in sunny Puerto Rico. Leading a white water rafting tour. (And bungee jumping, of course.)
Julie Seagle
Boo hoo. That sounds miserable. Poor you.
Finn is God
I know. Rough.