“You’re normally a typing machine in class, and I didn’t see you touch your computer or pick up your pen once. Figured you could use mine in case you want to review them.”
“Thanks. My mind is kind of elsewhere.”
“Because of the note?” he asks, brushing his floppy blond hair out of his face.
“Yeah.”
“So you’re not dating anyone?” he asks, a hint of hope in his voice.
“No. I’m focusing on school right now,” I say and cringe, hoping he won’t see through my excuse, especially since he noticed me not focusing on class today. “Well, normally I would be, but now I’m playing Sherlock Holmes in my brain.”
“Well, I hope you and the mystery gang get to the bottom of it,” he says with a boyish smile.
“I don’t think Scooby Doo is going to help me.” I laugh, thankful for the moment of levity.
——————
A month goes by without another letter.
Rylee and I are walking into the theatre on our way to class. “Hey, Ems, I think that says your name,” she says, pointing to the envelope on the call board.
I stare at it confused at first. People sometimes leave messages on the board for others, but it’s usually about an audition, casting, or job. Rylee pulls out the pin holding the note and hands it to me.
“Watch this,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows as she pinches the pin between two fingers and flicks her wrist, firing it straight into the cork in the most satisfying way.
“I’m starting to think you’re part ninja,” I tease.
“Brothers.” I laugh in response, thinking about the torture they must have put her through growing up. “But I came away with cool party tricks,” she says with a smirk.
I hold the letter in my hands, debating whether to open it in front of her or not worried about what excuse I could give her. I’ve only told Alyx and Ella about the letters.
“Uh, ya gonna open it?”
“Nah, I’m sure it’s just about a summer internship I applied for,” I lie, stuffing it into my backpack.
When I get back to my apartment, several hours later, the letter burning a hole in my metaphorical pocket the whole time, I pull out my phone and FaceTime Ella.
“Em!” she chirps. “Wait, you’re not spelling the alphabet. Shit. What’s wrong?”
It’s a blessing and a curse, her ability to read me so well. I hold up the letter so she can see.
“Shit, another one?”
I nod solemnly. “Can I add Alyx? I’d rather go through this once than repeating the story back for him too.”
“Fine, call Mr. Fuck-around-and-find-out.” I shoot her a warning look, and she holds her hands up in defense. “I’ll be good, I swear. I know this is important.”
Once I add Alyx to the call and fill him in, I pull out the letter and read it for them.
My love,
“He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
Whenever I read this quote, I am reminded of you and the soul that we share. Stay strong my love, we will be joined soon. I’m in awe of you and am happy to be your pillar of strength.
Yours
“I’ll show you a pillar of strength,” Alyx quips. I laugh. Alyx is always able to bring humor to the seriousness of the moment.
