Stone,
Can we stop with the animal talk? Irritating Jock Who Breaks the Rules is by far better. I’m okay, and you?
Signed,
Harlow, Who is Sticking to Traditional Signatures
P.S. Email is the way to go. Text messages feel too average. Handwritten letters on worn paper would imply romantic endeavors, and even my characters can't handle that.
Then it happens again a few minutes later.
Harlow,
That’s a shame, I was going to go buy paper at Pioneer Village, that kids’ park outside of town where they pretend it's pioneer times. Aw, shucks. Anyhow, I realize that I never teased you about your last name… Jelly.
And I’m not exactly okay. You left.
-Stone
The longest sigh hits me, and pain builds in my throat. I wait a few hours, debating what to say. Maybe I should wait another day to reply, but my body refuses to do that. Guilt hits me that I left, and I hate it.
Stone,
It’s what I needed to do.
-Harlow
P.S. It’s Harlow Grape Jelly actually… Okay, kidding about the middle name. Nonetheless, you shall under no circumstance repeat my last name.
* * *
Harlow,
Hmm, Olive is probably better.
And as for what you needed to do, I could argue that. You like to listen.
-Stone
P.S. Yeah, there is a hidden meaning there. ;)
I snort a laugh.Why is he letting me off so easily?
Stone,
It seems we’re writing to one another now? I guess we did talk about it. You’re the initiator, leading us to mischief, as always.
-Harlow
I could go back and forth for hours. I’m slipping back into the comfort and ease of talking to him. Missing his voice but enjoying his typed words too. Writing can sometimes be even stronger than voice.
Harlow,
Isn’t it obvious what we’re doing? You know, there is this German movie about two people who write to one another and never meet. I don’t speak German, but I’m sure it’s award worthy. Lucky for us, we’ve met, but it made me think of you and how email is better than nothing.
By the way, my baby-whisperer skills have taken a turn. It now costs me four minutes and forty-five seconds. I blame you for that. You’re in my head.
-Stone
