Written for Muse On Monday. We are asked
to write a story in the form of an email.
Subject: hey, can we talk about Saturday
Alex,
I know you probably don’t want to hear from me, but you left your blue jacket at my place and I don’t know what to do with it. Also …. you were kind of a jerk at Lynne’s party. Just putting that out there.
Me
Subject: Re: hey, can we talk about Saturday
Wow. Okay. I wasn’t even AT Lynne’s party, but sure, tell me more about how big a jerk I am. This should be good.
— Alex
Subject: Re: Re: hey, can we talk about Saturday
Ha ha. Very funny. You disappeared for two hours and came back smelling like someone else’s perfume, so forgive me for not laughing along.
Can you please just come get the jacket?
Me
Subject: Re: Re: Re: hey, can we talk about Saturday
I don’t have a jacket at your place. I don’t have a “your place.” I think you might be emailing the wrong Alex. I’m a systems analyst in Cincinnati and the last party I went to was my nephew’s christening.
But for what it’s worth: whoever this guy is, he sounds like a genuine idiot, and I hope the jacket has a stain on it.
— Alex (the wrong one, apparently)
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: hey, can we talk about Saturday
OMG! I’m so sorry. I’ve been emailing a stranger my entire breakup for the past two hours.
I don’t even know how to apologize for this.
Me
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: hey, can we talk about Saturday
Honestly? Don’t. This is the most interesting my inbox has been in a year. I was rooting for you against a man I’ve never met and don’t like very much.
For the record …. keep the jacket. Cut a sleeve off. Frame it. Burn it. Whatever helps.
— Alex
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: hey, can we talk about Saturday
I threw it away this morning, actually. Felt good.
Thank you for listening. Or …. reading. Whatever this was.
It’s refreshing to know that some people still reply to strangers this kindly.
And you’re really not wrong-Alex. You sound just right to me.
Stephanie
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: hey, can we talk about Saturday
No worries. But you’re welcome, wrong-number stranger.
Good luck out there. Block his number. Buy yourself a new jacket. In that order.
BTW you sound just right to me too, Stephanie.
— Alex
NAR©2026
This is “Checking My Email” by Mark Ferrari
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Very hilarious story
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Thanks so much, Sadje!
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You are very welcome
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Fingers crossed…………………….
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It could happen! 😊
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This is clever, and a great strategy (hand on chin as she gazes upwards and to the distance)! 😂😂😂❤️
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Thanks! I’m glad you liked it, Liz! 😅 😊
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hahahha … a familiar mistake.. 😹
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I imagine it could happen fairly often! Thanks, Cin! 😊
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I think you’re right, Nanc❣️
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I wonder if anyone has ever met this way.
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I’m sure they have; I’d wager more often than we think. It’s certainly a nice way to get to know someone without the weirdness of online dating and if worse comes to worst, email addresses can always be changed and people blocked.
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I get emails like that all the time, but they are mostly from strippers telling me that they broke up with their boyfriend and they want me to come to their site, so I just delete them.
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Good call!
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Sounds like a right number to me.
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I think so, too!
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And the best, as they say is yet to come! 💜💜
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I hope so! I like these two. 💜
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Yes they are a likeable couple aren’t they 💜💚💚
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This was a fun read this morning.
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Thanks, brother! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
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very creative Nance! I love 😊💕 it!
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Thanks a lot, CA! So glad you like it! 😍
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