Dear Mother

By Rika195

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Thank you Brad Rousse and bored2pieces2 for your reviews! You guys rock!

For everyone else...

I guess you people don't understand that you can reply to Sarah directly if you like. Not that you have to, but it could be fun, doncha think? For example, if you put in your review: "I think it's because you're a cartoon character", or "maybe you're an alien!" or whatever you want, Sarah will respond with what she thinks about that. All clear? So feel free to say whatever you like, and actually get to see that in the story! So have fun.

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NOTE: You must read this story with a British Accent, or else it just wont sound the same.

Now that that's all said, let's begin!

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Dear Mother,

Thank you for replying to my letter with such haste. I have been very put out, and it encourages me so that you take me seriously. I cannot explain how relieved it makes me feel that you did not tell me I was being silly or childish for what I said. But it also makes me very worried. It means, Mother, that you cannot deny it is true. Surely you have noticed, although nobody else has seemed to. Do you not find that strange? That any time I have brought the up the idea that I have not grown any older, no one else notices. They have all told me that I am being ridiculous. Well I tell you I am not, and thank you for agreeing with me.

I must say though, your reply was very confusing. How short it was, and how vague! All you spoke about was ordinary daily things! And though I am delighted to hear about the changes you have made at home, the new curtains and such, it makes me very worried. What is it you are hiding from me? Please be honest with me. I am put out!

There is, also, the small answer that you DID give me. You said, and I quote, "My darling Sarah, do not worry about your apparent lack of changes, for what a blessing it is to be young!" And that is all you have said about the matter. That is not at all the kind of answer I am looking for. Although, you did seem to hint that Mr. Franklin would know more about this. What could he know? And why? Surely there is more behind this, more that you yourself know. So why do you not tell me?

Oh Mother, I am so anxious.

I spoke with James again today. Perhaps I should not have opened my mouth, but I could not help it. I told him about my age, and my looks. I was so distressed with your letter that I was crying as I spilled out my whole theory and fear on the issue. Pacing the floor, yelling uncivilly about how horrible this is, I must have looked such a child to him! And he stood there, so quiet, watching me as he never has before. But I have never cried like that in front of him, in all of my years of knowing him. So how could I expect him to take it? By the time I was finished, I collapsed on the ground weakly, all of my strength drifting away like steam. I felt like such a fool.

But like a gentleman, he came forward hesitantly and placed his jacket about my shoulders. His face was concerned, and by the look in his eyes I could tell that he was not dismissing me like a child. He was taking me seriously. James Hiller, of all people...I felt such relief at his response! He was a dear friend to me then, and I remembered all that we have experienced together during the War. It made me glad to remember that I very much appreciate him as dear friend of mine. He has grown so much, though he has not grown in appearance. He looks as changed as I myself. None at all. Which is strange, because everyone else has changed with time. Everyone except James and myself. Why?

"You noticed too," he said to me softly, after giving me a chance to calm down. His words startled me, and I looked up at him in surprise. He laughed. "I thought it was just me," he continued awkwardly. "Or maybe that I was just not seeing the changes in myself...in you." He sat down beside me, and together we stared at nothing in particular, thinking about our strange situation.

"Oh James," I sighed, feeling lost. "What are we to do? If we have truly not grown in all these years, what does it mean? It is only you and I, who have not changed. I have seen everyone else grow, even Henri. And yet here we are, unchanged as stone. I would have gone on believing that I was simply not noticing the changes until I saw you last week and noticed that the two of us look the same as that day I first arrived here in America. It distresses me so!"

"Same. But it's worse, because unlike us, even stone changes," James argued, but he grew serious, his eyebrows drawing close together in consternation. "But why? I asked Mr. Franklin about it, but he just acted like I hadn't even spoken. He changed the subject and talked about something else. And no matter what I said, he wouldn't answer me. So now what? I don't like it. I wanted to have my own Newspaper by now...I wanted to be grown...on my own....I wanted to be...to be..." his face reddened, and he pressed his lips together and said no more.

And I wondered at him. Did he feel as I have felt? That he too would want to be married by now? My heart went out to him. How horrible it must be, to never become a man, even after you have spent all the years and trials to get there. It is worse even than for me, for though I am young, I could still be married if I wanted. I touched his shoulder with my hand, wanting to comfort him, but what could I say?

We sat there in silence until it was time for him to leave. He stood without a word and left, leaving his jacket with me.

That is when I began this letter, and now I must say. If you do not tell me what has happened to the two of us, then I will be in torment. Answer me Mother; answer me soon! I beseech you, if you have ever loved me, to tell me what you know. For Mr. Franklin, it seems, will not.

In ever-growing fear till your reply,

Sarah Phillips

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Got a reply for the poor girl? Write it down in part of your review, (you have to actually review the story) and she'll respond to whatever you say in the next chapter. What a fun way for you to participate! Right? I just ask that you be appropriate in your responses. Sarah doesn't approve of rude behavior.

I know why this is happening, of course, so I don't expect you to come up with it. But if you have anything you'd like to tell her, any ideas, then you can put them in a reply to her. It will be fun for me to make them a part of the story. For, just as you and Sarah do not know what is wrong....Sarah's mother might not know either! Only I and Mr. Franklin seem to know.

Thanks!

Until next time then.