Charles

***Missed call from Joshmaboi Tuesday 10. June 18:20***

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Sms, Tuesday 10. June 18:23 from Joshmaboi

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Hi dad, me and Mara definitely want to watch the cats when you leave for Trinidad. Just called to confirm the dates - it's 01/07-20/07, right? Week 27, 28 and 29?

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Sms, Tuesday 10. June 18:37 from Birgitmess

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Charlie! Thanks for today, you are such a lifesaver I really needed that time off so thank you again for covering my shift. Are you going to the summerparty on friday? There's def a beer or two in it ifn you do! And maybe you'll teach me the samba this time eh?

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Reply Birgitmess, Tuesday 10. June 18:49

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No need for beers, Birgit, as long as you take the 20/07 shift:) But yeah, I'll be there on Friday - and wear comfy shoes 'cos we'll samba!

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Sms, Tuesday 10. June 19:05 from Birgitmess

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Looking forward to both:) Don't worry, you know how I hate owing a favour. About the shoes, though... I WILL wear heals nomatter what c",)

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Reply Birgitmess, Tuesday 10. June 19:19

:*

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Sms, Tuesday 10. June 19:20 from Birgitmess

=D

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Reply Joshmaboi, Tuesday 10. June 19:57

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Hia Josh! Thanks guys!! Sorry I can't talk now, at work. The dates are correct and I'll fill the fridge (and the bar) before I leave so you can enjoy yourselves. Everything cat-related are in that little cabinet by the door, you know? Oh, do you still have the extra key? I have an extremely early flight so unless you arrive on Sunday 30th I won't see you...

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Sms, Tuesday 10. June 21:09 from Joshmaboi

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No probs, dad! Still have the key:) Mara has to work that weekend but I can leave a couple days before and the two of us can have some alone time before your flight. Ok?

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Reply Joshmaboi, Tuesday 10. June 23:55

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Great! I hoped you'd say that:) Yeah, come on over if it's no trouble. We could play Scrabble like we did when you were little. Remember that? Haha, you used to get so angry and accuse me of cheating. Just got off my shift, these late nights aren't what they used to be... How are your studies going? Exam ready?

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Sms, Wednesday 11. June 10:08 from Joshmaboi

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Didn't want to wake you, you can call me later. I'm free all day. Yeah, exams are fine, the worst was over in May and I'm waiting for the results. My dissertation is due this Friday but I'm basically done and for the first time since I started I actually think I'm good:) I already have a few job interviews lined up in your area. Sorry I couldn't join you on the trip, but now you don't have to fork out your hard earned cash on the cat hotel;)

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***Outgoing call to Joshmaboi Wednesday 11. June 13:20***

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Reply Joshmaboi, Wednesday 11. June 14:25

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Josh! Just remembered! Your grandma wanted me to bring back an assortment of stuff from Trinidad, she sent a list of "heirlooms" you're owed. I'll forward it to you. Can't believe I forgot to bring it up on the call. Just checked call history because my ears were so sweaty. We talked for 45 mins! Can you believe it?

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Sms, Wednesday 11. June 14:27 from Joshmaboi

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I can't believe you didn't use the loudspeakers or headphones, dad. Seriously, how old is your phone?!

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Reply Joshmaboi Wednesday 11. June 14:30

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Lol

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*Forwarded mms from MamaJoule to Joshmaboi Wednesday 11. June 14:31*

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Sms, Wednesday 11. June 14:32 from Joshmaboi

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Don't you want any of this yourself, dad? I mean, grandpas jewellery and old pipes are really cool vintage stuff, but it's kinda more your style with your samba and womanizing, no dizz but you know what I mean;p

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Reply Joshmaboi, Wednesday 11. June 14:45

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Tell you what, I'll get it appraised and sell whatever fetches the most bucks to pay for your student loans, ok? I'm good for clothes and jewellery, and your grandma just wants it out of the way. No "dizz", just jazz:D

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Sms, Wednesday 11. June 15:30 from Joshmaboi

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Jazz, haha! If it's not too much trouble... Thanks. How was your workout? Did you cheat and go to the deli again? You can tell me;)

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Sms, Wednesday 11. June 18:20 from TinderEva

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No show, eh? Dammit Charlieboy, I was sure you were one of the good ones! I waited fourty fucking minutes!! Did you forget? Or was it fun standing me up? I thought we'd talked about this? You said you set an alarm and everything. Shit, I'm so dissappointed rn, I normally don't react this way but I thought we had something so now I'm just pisshed. Delrete annb forget me jou doujschebagg

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Sms, Wednesday 11. June 19:56 from Joshmaboi

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Just a thought: Didn't grandpa have those white and black dresshoes? You know those that mafiosos wore back in the day? I'm size 43 now so if you think they'll fit...:) Anyways, see you in about two weeks! I know you have that date soon, and party on Friday so I'll leave you to it. (But tell me and Mara the gory details on Saturday).

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***Missed call from Joshmaboi Thursday 12. June 15:16***

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Sms, Thursday 12. June 15:30 from Joshmaboi

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Finished my dissertation and just sent it :))) Wooop wooop! A whole friggin day before the dead line=D I'm freeeee

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***Missed call from Wøøørk Friday 13. June 04:23***

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***Missed call from Wøøørk Friday 13. June 04:27***

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***Missed call from Wøøørk Friday 13. June 04:29***

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***Missed call from Wøøørk Friday 13. June 04:33***

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***Missed call from Wøøørk Friday 13. June 04:44***

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***Missed call from Wøøørk Friday 13. June 05:01***

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Sms, Friday 13. June 05:11 from Wøøørk

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Charles, this is Danny at Plan. I hope you just overslept, but since you're not answering our calls and you failed to meet up at the taxi pickup at 04:20, we had to call your son (he's registered as your immediate next of kin). He's on his way to yours now, so if you wake up and see this just give him a call before you call us, OK? We're all worried, but found someone to cover for you. Hope you're fine, best regards, Dan

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***Missed call from Joshmaboi Friday 13. June 05:03***

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***Missed call from Joshmaboi Friday 13. June 05:37***

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***Missed call from Joshmaboi Friday 13. June 05:48***

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Sms, Friday 13. June 05:59 from Joshmaboi

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Dad, I'm freaking out. Your work called saying you didn't show up and don't answer your phone. They sent a taxi so I could check on you and I'm sitting in it now, writing you to kinda calm my nerves because you don't answer and I feel there's something wrong and the taxi takes forever but there's no trains from mine this early and why didn't I learn how to drive, dad? Why didn't you insist I'd try again when I failed that first time?! I thought it was too expensive, but you never said that, you just paid and paid and now I'm wishing I could change seats with this slow taxidriver and press both feet on the gass and open the door to your apartment and find you snoring. Please be snoring, dad. Please be fine.

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Sms, Friday 13. June 09:00 from Joshmaboi

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I can't believe it. You were just here and we had plans and you had that trip and...

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Sms, Sunday 20. July from Birgitmess

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Paying my dues now. Jeez, I can't stop thinking about you. Had a cry behind the yellow transformer at Spikkestad. Yes, I haven't stopped smoking. What's the point? You were the fittest fifty-something I ever met. Also, what would I use my collection of ashtrays from Trinidad for if I didn't? And now there won't be another one. I wish... This is so silly, who am I kidding? But Charlie, I wish you were here.

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Sms, Monday 24. November 13:22 from Joshmaboi

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Today's my first birthday without you, dad. I miss you. Tomorrow will be yours. We always had our double birthdays and I guess that's the way to go (Mara said so). The cats are fine btw. Me and Mara moved in with them. Aced the exams and all, got a job just down your street. Mara started as an aspirant at your company in September. She was so impressed by how they handled your passing and said she wanted a job where they'd find you before the smell alerted the neighbours. You know Mara, she's indelicately funny that way. You had the same black humor saying the cats would start on your face. They didn't though, they opened that cabinet by the door and the orange one had bitten through a few of those expensive packets while the grey made biscuits on your stomach. You really spoiled those two. Oh dad... I miss you.

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Sms, Thursday 01. January 07:06 from Joshmaboi

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It still feels like you're here when I text you. So... we survived Christmas. Grandma called every day. It was nice in a way. I don't think I cried this much even when I was a baby. But we're here. Mara finished the authorization with flying colors and she thrives just as much as you did. You were right, I am going to marry that girl.

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Sms, Sunday 17. May 15:46 from Joshmaboi

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It was weird to dress up without that call from you singing the national anthem and telling me where my flag was. It's the big things and the little things. I miss it all. The hospital called with my test results earlier this week. I didn't inherit that heart valve thingy you had. I can't stop thinking that if you'd only had a check up once in a while you'd still be here. But you were so fit... Anyway, Mara has samosas for us. Happy Norway day, I guess.

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Sms, Saturday 13. June 09:00 from Joshmaboi

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Mara said yes! I didn't even realize I asked her on the anniversary of your passing. Time heals, or something. I forget your voice. And time moves weirdly. I still have trouble figuring out if something was lived or dreamed, you know? You said you felt the same when grandpa died. So you moved across the world. I get it now, but I'm too chicken to move, so I'll marry instead. Haha, you'd say that's the bravest a man can do...! I really wish you'd upgraded your phone so I could continue sending these texts, but it's full now, and the battery doesn't want to charge anymore. Goodbye, dad. Until nex-