PLEASE READ: So I don't confuse anyone, pay attention to the dates of the letters. They jump ahead. If it helps, they were in their first semester of freshman year high school in 1999. I skip, obviously, so not all of them will be back to back replies. The bio for this story was a typo. Sorry for the confusion! Forget the whole 10 years thing!
Chapter 2: Texarkana
Dear Edward,
December 15, 2002
Where is time going? Why does it seem as if it's moving right along without me. I see it. It passes quicker than I want. It's like the wind.
Senior year hasn't been everything I had hoped. So far, anyway. Junior year was good. Sophomore year was even better, and freshman year was the best. Isn't that backwards? Remember last year? I was happier then.
My aunt and uncle's divorce hit me hard. It's only been two months since it was finalized, and they still see each other on a daily basis. It makes it worse. They fight, they fuck. Isn't that the same as being married?
Penny says I have to stop letting other peoples lives affect my own. Who knew my drama teacher would become so important to me?
The only things making me happy are Penny, your letters, and the autumn season. The leaves are so vivid. It's like you can taste the colors.
Your senior pictures were great. Your dark hair is getting long again. Haha!
I broke up with Aaron last week. I didn't want a platonic relationship anymore. He's in the closet, and I can't date him just because it takes the heat off of him... Jessica is pregnant and dropping out.
How are you?
Love, Bella
P.S. Happy Christmas
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I was driving west and making good time until the standstill traffic came along. Luckily I was able to pull off at a rest stop in Texarkana to use the bathroom and walk around. I was supposed to be at Penny's by dinner, but that wasn't going to happen. According to the radio there was a larg accident a few miles up involving seven vehicles. I wasn't upset about losing some time. I was tired and driving made that worse.
I didn't plan on staying up so late after Cracker Barrel reading my letters. I was feeling melancholic. Senior year was a dark time for me. I was eager to get past it.
I kicked my shoes off and laid down on the quilt I had out on the grass. The rest stop was full of people. I enjoyed watching them. I kept my backpack close, using it as a pillow and my binder propped open on my knees. I let the sounds of people fade as I took a deep breath and started reading again.
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Dear Bella,
December 28, 2002
Did you have a good Christmas?
I hate that you're feeling so down. I wish I could give you my, "Who gives a fuck," attitude.
The best thing I can tell you is that this shitty time will pass. Mine did. Can you believe this past summer I was facing jail time on bogus charges? I'll never trust a man again. Jeremiah was lucky to only get a year probation. It was Jack that got the brunt of it. Because Jeremiah and I knew he planned to rob the place, that made us accessories?
Whatever. I'm back on track, though. My grades are excellent. I even went golfing with dad last weekend and had fun. FUN. Can you believe it? He even laughed at my corny jokes.
Try and not pay attention to your aunt and uncle, okay? It's their life, free to make all the mistakes they want. It's fucked up that they have you around to see it, but you're strong.
Aaron wasn't good enough for you anyway. And Jessica...shit, that sucks.
I asked Tanya to Prom and she said yes. I like her, but she keeps talking about "our future" as if she's some kind of fortune teller. It's only been 3 months of us dating...We'll see.
Hang in there, okay?
Love, Edward
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"Excuse me, ma'am?"
I looked up from my binder. The direct sun in my eyes was blinding, so I sat up. A woman with two little girls stood in front of me.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Do you have a cell phone? Mine died and my daughter broke the charger," she said, looking down to her redheaded, little girl. The child was looking at the ground in shame.
"Of course," I said. I reached in my backpack and pulled out my iPhone, handing it to the woman. She thanked me profusely. I waited as she made a quick phone call. Her voice was high with excitement when she spoke on the phone. Her daughters were ansty at her side.
"You're a life saver, thanks," she gushed, coming back to me. I put my phone in my pocket and smiled up at her.
"It's no problem, really. Do you want to sit?" I asked, patting the quilt. The little girls smiled at me. "It's comfy. And I have snacks!"
The mother laughed. "Thanks." They sat down. Her youngest daughter, a little blonde, sat in her lap and the redhead was next to me. I dug around in my pack for some M&M's. I gave a handful to each of the girls.
"Thank you!" The redhead said.
"You're very welcome," I replied.
"That'll entertain them," the mother said smiling. I laughed. Her girls started counting and naming the colors of the candy. "My name is Bethany. This is Harper, and the fiery redhead is Lyric."
"Beautiful names," I said. Bethany blushed. "I'm Bella." We looked out to the interstate when an ambulance flew by on the median.
"Damn traffic," I mumbled.
"Right? I have to be in Del Rio by Friday."
"That's a ways. Where are you coming from?"
"Nashville. You?"
"I'm more East Tennessee," I said. "But I'm due in Dallas by nightfall."
"Business or pleasure?" She asked. I laughed.
"Pleasure. I'm seeing an old friend. You?"
Bethany sighed with a warm smile on her face. Her long brown hair was braided to one side and she was constantly touching it.
"Pleasure," she said.
"Mom is going to see Jeff," Lyric said.
"Who's Jeff?" I asked her. Her cheeks turned as red as her hair. She leaned closer to me.
"Her boyfriend," she whispered. Bethany laughed.
"It's the first time I've seen him since high school," Bethany explained. "We were friends, lost touch, then started talking again last year. We really hit it off. He's down in Texas promoting a CD."
"Wow," I replied. "Your story isn't much different than mine."
"Really?" Bethany said. Her face was hopeful. I nodded.
"Really. Are you nervous?"
"Yes," she replied immediately. I laughed kindly. "I haven't seen him face to face in so long that I've forgotten, you know? We text and video chat."
"That's romantic in its own way," I said. "You'll be star struck when you see him. Like meeting a famous person, I imagine."
"Exactly."
"I have the same anxiety," I laughed. "But I'm not only seeing an old friend, I'm meeting him in person for the first time."
"Whoa. How'd you meet?"
"We've been pen pals since high school."
"And you're just now deciding to meet?!" She was surprised, and glanced over at my binder.
I laughed some more.
"I have so many letters. I even copied the ones I sent him. Now they read like a story," I giggled. Bethany was clearly listening to me intently. Her eyes never left mine as she waited for more information.
"It's kind of complicated," I added shyly. Her kids were laying down eating their M&M's quietly. They looked sleepy. Bethany scooted closer to me and looked out towards the interstate.
"I'm eager to listen if you're willing to tell," she said kindly. "It might help pass time."
I smiled. I hadn't ever really spoken about my story with Edward. People just knew we were good friends that wrote to each other. I closed my eyes and smiled.
"He's the only person that knows everything about me," I began. "He's one of the longest relationship I've ever had, too. My parents died, my aunt and uncle fell apart after their divorce, but Edward was always there. Even though we changed as we grew up, nothing seemed to change with us. I only know him by his words, but to me, that's the most honest thing."
Bethany was still listening intently. I stretched my legs out and sat back on my hands.
"We lost touch during college. He stopped writing and I went to North Carolina for graduate school. It actually wasn't ever anything more than friends until the last few months of letters. We planned to meet at the ranch his grandfather left to him. Edward wanted to meet at thirty, but that was too late for me, so we decided on the first day of autumn after my twenty-eighth birthday. It's our favorite time of year."
"Wow," Bethany sighed. "What a love story. But, wait, so you haven't heard from him since college?"
"It's been about seven years," I whispered.
"What made you decide to go at all after so long?"
I shrugged. I never had a very good answer for this question.
"It just feels like something I have to do."
"What if..." She stopped.
"He isn't there?" I finished. Bethany nodded sadly. I shrugged. "Then it wasn't meant to be. And I'll be okay with that. But I have to find out. I've sent a couple letters to the ranch address, but they were returned. I wasn't that worried about it because I remember Edward always telling me that his grandpa lived off the map. Really, all I want now is to know. Is he there, is he not? Then I feel like I can start my life...if that makes any sense at all."
"Good for you," she said. "That's kind of what I'm doing with Jeff, too. He's not very good at being manogomous. I want to show him how serious I am, and if he doesn't accept, then I'll know."
"Men," I groaned. We laughed. "I'm sure he's looking forward to seeing you."
"He is. He's a scared as I am, though. I mean, our lives are so different that it can be hard to meet in the middle."
"But if it's love..."
"It's worth it."
I nodded then looked down to my binder. I picked it up and held it close to my chest. Suddenly, the traffic started to move again. I helped Bethany carry her kids to her car and buckle them in their seats safetly. They were fast asleep.
Bethany surprised me by giving me a big hug. She was going to buy a phone charger at the next service station, and started to give me her phone number.
"Actually," she said, pausing. "I'll give you my address. I want to hear the end of your story. Write me," she said. I smiled warmly, took the piece of paper, and tucked it safely in my pack.
"And I want to hear yours! I'll write you. Good luck to you and Jeff."
She smiled.
"And more luck to you and Edward. Here's to happily ever after."
I waved as she moved in with the traffic to get back on the interstate. I looked up to the sunny sky and was thankful for Bethany. I wasn't the only one in search of a happy ending to a difficult love story.
We're getting closer! I'm glad to give a little bit more of a back story!
My plan is to update Sunday and Wednesday :D I hope you're still hooked. The best is yet to come!