Philippa finished my legs and pulled my pants back down and then stood up before me. She had a coy smile on her face. I wasn’t sure what the future held for her locked up in my estate, but I felt compelled to continue to protect her. I wondered if I could convince Kris to keep her out of my dad’s line of sight.
“Is there anything else you need?” Philippa asked.
“This has been more than generous,” I replied. “Really, I would feel horrible if you got in trouble with my dad, so you should go.”
She nodded, although she seemed a little sad. “Okay. If… if there’s anything else I can do, please let me know.”
I knew that I would never call on her again, but I still said, “I will. Thank you.”
Philippa turned to head out of the room, but then stopped short. Her arms moved a bit, though I couldn’t see what she was doing, then she turned back around and had a letter in her hands. Her face was now a blazing red and she seemed ten times as nervous as she was moments ago.
“Um. I wrote you this letter.” Her fingers were crinkling into the envelope. “You don’t have to read it.”
Whatever ideas she’d developed in her mind about me, it was best she just got rid of them. I shouldn’t accept her letter, just like I shouldn’t have accepted her help. But then there was that feeling again. That told me that she was still innocent in a world designed to crush her and that in an entire estate of people who looked the other way when I was suffering, she didn’t. It told me that, despite what was best for her, I shouldn’t be evil towards her.
I held out my hand with a smile. “I’ll read it.”
Her blush deepened as she stepped forward, then she set the letter in my hand, turned around, and bolted from the room before I could say anything else.
What a curious person.
I saw my name written in script on the front that was surprisingly beautiful for someone her age. There were about five years between us, but it still felt like she was somehow years older than me. I folded my finger into the flap of the envelope to slide it open and slipped out the letter inside. The writing on the paper was just as lovely as that on the front of the envelope.
Gianni,
You probably don’t remember me, but a few years ago, you saved my life.
My mom was killed before my eyes, and when you could have told your father that I was under the counter, you lied and said you were grabbing money instead.
I can see how busy you are and that you don’t see me around the house, but I wanted to say thank you. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.
It seems like you don’t have very many people on your side, but I am. I don’t have any people on my side either, so I know what it’s like. I wanted you to know that, even when your days seem darkest, you are still a light for me.
Thankfully,
Philippa
A smile rose to my face as I read through the words. She was so shy to give me something so simple, and yet the prose itself was beyond her years. I groaned as I pulled myself up off the couch and limped over to the drawing table in the corner of my room. I pulled a piece of paper from the notepad on the desktop and a pen that was nestled in a fancy, wooden holder and then set it down on the paper.
For all the pain my family had caused hers, I owed her a response.
4
Philippa
Philippa,
Happy Spring, and Happy Birthday! It’s strange to think that we’ve been writing these letters for six years now. There aren’t many people on this earth that I’ve shared the things I’ve shared with you.
In fact, there are none.
I know I’ve said before, but I often find myself grateful for your friendship. I’m certain there are many things I might not have survived had I not had a confidante in you. If I didn’t think it would bring you a great deal of misfortune, I would have attached a present with this letter, but I suppose the words themselves will have to do. Maybe one day I’ll find myself in a position to celebrate with you properly.
I’m saddened to say that, due to my grandmother’s passing, my younger brother, Savio, and my younger sister, Natalia, have been moved to our home to live with us full time. They’re both even younger than you are, and I fear what this means for them both. I tried to speak with my brothers about the importance of protecting their innocence, but it would seem they’ve both already been indoctrinated by my father. I can only pray that Savio and Natalia find a way to survive in this desolate jungle they’ve landed in. Not everyone is as strong as you or I.
I hope that your day is filled with as much joy as it can be in a place like this. I look forward to your next letter.
Happy Birthday,
