Munro

"I kept on going to meet the mail, but my heart was heavy now like a lump of lead.  I only smiled because I thought of the mailman counting on it, and he didn't have an easy life, with the winter driving ahead." (p. 146)

Carmichael or Chris Watter?  That is the ultimate question.

First of all, Chris Watter is a total tool.  Even though he is engaged, he totally uses Edie just to escape the reality of his actual relationship.  His fiancee is also not the nicest person in the world.  She even calls Edie a "little country tramp."  Both Chris and Alice are probably from a higher class of people then Edie.  Chris shows his authority over Edie by telling her that he is "used to shy girls" and by inviting her to take a free ride on the plane.  At first, I thought he was just a nice guy, but I was wrong.  I highly doubt this is a Notebook type situation in which Mrs. Peebles has been hiding all the letters Chris sends from Edie.

On the other hand, Carmichael is totally the perfect man for Edie.  He is obviously not a super smart and wealthy person (after all, he is a mail man).  He compliments Edie's smile and tells her that he has been waiting for it all day.  Although Edie focuses on Chris' lies and deceitful actions, this simple gesture is what ultimately keeps Edie returning to the mailbox day after day.  Her relationship with Carmichael is accidental.  I like how the author elaborates on Edie's two day fling with Chris for about fifteen pages, then briefly explains her lifelong relationship with Carmichael for a paragraph.  I think the suspense makes the relationship even more sweet.  Without heartache and tears, true love can never be found.  How cute.