I hope you know that my leaving had nothing to do with you. It was - it IS because you love me that I'm strong enough to face all of this. He could almost see her hand waving, encompassing her mother, her father's murder, the ghosts she'd spent her entire life chasing but never catching. I never wanted you to know how weak I am. But now, three thousand miles from you...I wonder if you've always known, and never cared.

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I respect what you're doing - I'm sure I needn't have told you that. I won't lie...Hank misses you. He's depressed and has lost some weight, but I think he'll rebound once I read him some of your e-mails. (He's most interested in seeing San Francisco someday, you know.)

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Ginny,

Here are the pictures I promised. You probably can't tell most of them are me, but my mom will vouch for it -- I'm the one in the blue wetsuit.

California's been...interesting. I'm sure Gil will tell you anything you want to know.

Keep an eye on my boys.

Love,

Sara

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Sara,

I can't wait to meet your mother. Didn't think you were getting out of that, did you? We moms have so much to discuss - not least of which is berating the pair of you for eloping and stealing our day away from us. Haha. (Yes, he told me. One look at his face and I knew he was keeping a secret, and my Gilbert's never been able to stand up to interrogation.)

At any rate, dearest, you stay safe and enjoy your trip. Perhaps it will do you some good.

Love you always,

Ginny

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Dearest, darling Hank,

I miss you, my big boy. I miss your stinky dog breath, and the way you wake me up at 3 am when you're dreaming about chasing squirrels. I even miss the way you try to share your rawhide by hiding it in my bed. But mostly I just miss snuggling on the couch and watching movies with you and Gil. I hope you're being good and letting him get some sleep.

Love you, puppy.

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I hear California has the best dog treats - all natural and vegetarian. Bring me some of those? And a new rawhide? Oh, and maybe a t-shirt?

I wish I could be there surfing with you. I saw the pictures, and those waves don't look too bad. I could take 'em.

I'm being good, I promise! I haven't peed in the house once since you've been gone, and I'm eating again. (I only did that to scare you-know-who. He pays more attention to me if I act like I don't think you're coming back.)

Anyway, I've gotta go. It's time to head to the sitter's. Love you, Mom.

P.S. Dad says he wants a t-shirt, too.

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Sara,

Thanks for the t-shirts. We didn't think you'd actually find matching ones -- they're so clever. Hank and I wore them on our evening walk today and got several compliments. (I think he's getting a swelled head from all the extra attention.)

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Only the best for-- Sara hesitated, then finished typing, my guys.

I'm glad things are going well there. I've really enjoyed the last few weeks with Mom. In between heart-rending, life-changing conversations, we've managed to watch every single chick flick ever made, I believe, plus the Die Hard series. (Bonus, I found out where I get my love of Bruce Willis.)

Mom heard from my brother yesterday. His wife had another baby, a girl. That makes three. They were in Ohio for a while, but they've moved back west, they're up near Los Angeles now. We're driving out this weekend to spend a couple of days and visit with him...if he'll let us.

In the past couple of days, we've talked about Dad more. I'm remembering things I guess I repressed...some good, some -- well, not. She says he has family; my paternal grandmother is apparently still alive and well in New York. I have a few uncles and an aunt out there, too, plus tons of cousins. Who knew?

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So when do you head to New York?

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I...hadn't planned on going. I'm not sure I can even afford a cross-country trip. I had a lot of overtime and vacation pay from the LVPD but it's not a bottomless bucket.

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Go.

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Okay. I'm going at the end of the week. Give Hank a kiss from me. And thank him for the extra money that mysteriously appeared in my checking account overnight. He's too good to me.

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He loves you.

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I love you, too, Griss.

THE END