Dear Gus,
Oh man, what can I say? It's been a whole year. A whole, goddamn year since your stinking leg cancer came back, pulled one over on all of us, and took you away for good. To this day, I don't know what to say. I don't know why I write these letters, when you're not even there to read them. But that's the thing. I don't know for sure that your spirit isn't right behind me, leaning over my shoulder, reading what I write. That's the thing about you, Gus. You always believed. There wasn't anything you deemed impossible – with you, there was always a maybe. You always wondered. You were a wonder for that. And I am never going to forget that because you were such a great friend to have. Sometimes I go back to your house just to see your parents, and I ask to go down to the basement. And I sit there and think for a while. I think back to the good times. When I still had a working eye. When you were still here.
I guess it's time I fill you in. I've been alright. I have a new girlfriend, her name is Phoebe. Unlike that dumb Monica, Phoebe knows that I may not be able to see, but I'm still human. Now, you may be wondering how that works. You must be thinking from your special spot in Heaven (or are you in Hell? Did you get punished for the egg incident up there?) Oh God Isaac, how are you sure the girl's hot if you can't even SEE her? But that's the thing, Gus, I don't care if she's hot or not. Talking to her makes me feel like I'm melting inside – in a good way, though, not Wicked Witch of the West-like. You're probably raising an eyebrow at me from wherever you are now. Okay, okay – I 'fess up! Maybe I've felt her up. Maybe I know I liked what I sensed. But beyond that – she has a beautiful voice, she's hilarious, but she's also really smart. I like her man. I like her a lot.
I'm saving best for last for you, Gus. I know you want to know about Hazel. Well, Hazel's still alive, so that's a good thing, right? Are you frowning? God, you know me and my dry sense of humor. But yeah, her cancer hasn't gotten any worse. In fact, I personally think she's getting stronger, but she refuses to believe me. And get this – remember Van Houten? She's helping him write a sequel to An Imperial Affliction! Amazing, I know – looks like the drunk guy's got his senses back. And don't worry; she's still not dating anyone. I wonder if she'll be dating anyone ever again. I know you'd want her to, but come on; you've got to know about your own charm. Once you've had the best, there's no going back.
There really is no going back, Gus. I miss you. Hazel misses you. Your parents miss you. I think about you every freakin' day.
Oh Gus, you could be such a pain sometimes. But we all loved you. You always came through in the end.
See you one day.
Isaac