"I want three emails," he said, ticking them off as he spoke. "One for family, one for roommate, and one for professors." You'll explain that you're having a difficult time—I'm sure they've all seen how depressed you've been since losing Nicola—and you'll say—"

"Please excuse me?" I interrupted him. "A mess?"

He furrowed his brow. “Yes. A mess. I had people looking at you. Would you like to see the before and after pictures? I have some from when you were with Nicola, as well as some from later. If it makes you feel any better, he doesn't usually look this bad. To be honest, he's a little vain."

"Don't...