I was stretched out on my bed in my cramped flat, reading the letter she had sent me… again. I basically had most of it to down to memory by that point, but even still, I pressed it close to me, breathing in deep.

It was ridiculous, I knew that, but I would have sworn I could smell the sweet hint of honeysuckle on the page. I take another deep breath before reading again- the damp, rain-soaked, earth, and the fresh smell of Quinn's expensive perfume.

Dearest Sam,

I wish I knew more about cities like New York. All I know is that people go there to get famous. Like my best friend Lea, she would always say to me that it's her dream and that's the only "true" love for her, but I bet she's lying. I also know that New York is the place where the Empire State Building is located. I'd like to visit there someday.

The summer you came was the best summer ever, well for me. When we hung out, I've never been happier. I really wondered how you felt. But I could always tell that when you always had that goofy smile on your face. It'd made me laugh so many times, just to see you happy and enjoying yourself with a girl like me when you have all these other girls flinging themselves at you.

P.S.
Since you've been gone, things have been quiet. Too quiet, almost. Building up to something big probably, and I think I'm scared of what might happen, whether it's with you or if I move on or you do. But I hope you come back soon. Promise?

~ Quinn

I read over the letter even if I know it by heart. Quinn. I look over the letter again and notice that she's signed it with her finest penmanship and that the envelope is sealed with a kiss. I know its foolish, but I can't seem to throw away the letter.

We both promised to write back as soon as I left. I remember the last day of my visiting there. We sat alone in my truck right were we had met and we just sat there. It may have been in June when we met, but when I prepared to leave in the last week of August, we had grown so close together. We were sitting in my truck kissing softly when I told her, I had to leave. Of course she new my stay wasn't for forever and that I had to leave sometime, but she still got upset and I remember muttering the words I knew I wouldn't be able to keep. I dropped her off at her house, and she walked up to her porch and as I drove away I could see her waving and softly crying. I wish I didn't have to leave but, I had.

I'm awaken out of my daze by the sound of Tyler crying in the background. I slowly lift myself out of the bed and look to the right, seeing my best friend lay there faking himself sleeping softly, so he wouldn't have to get up. I smile softly then I get up to fetch Tyler. I realize that his bottoms stink and that I have to change him. I winch softly and laugh.

"You can never keep your diaper clean can you?" I say to Tyler who just he giggles loudly. I notice a body stirring in the bed, and accompanying with the stirring is a loud groaning sound being emitted into the quiet. Probably because it's six in the morning. He gets up and walks over to me and laughs.

"Good morning, Finn . How'd ya' sleep?" I say.

"I slept well. Here give him to me. I can tell you slept not so well. Were you up again reading that letter?"

"Yea, I was. I dont know why I just can't through the letter away. I'm bond to it for like ever. She was special to me. But Summer Love isnt for forever. This isn't The Notebook. The night we met was just... perfect. The stars we're out, and we were close. Here sit down the baby, and come here." He places the baby in his high chair, and comes towards me.

"Come here, Im not gonna bite. Now, come towards me and just stop," he comes in front of me and stops. I take his hand and I hold it, "now look up at the ceiling. Like it's the most starry night in Tennesse you've ever seen." He looks up, and then looks into my. Realizing I'm slowly recreating the night Quinn and I met. We stare into each others eyes, then we pull apart quickly, coughing. Im rubbing my head awkwardly. Finn laughs loudly, stirring Tyler making him giggle again. He rushes over to him and tells him that I'm a funny uncle.

"Can you go get the mail, Sam? I'm kinda busy, as you see"

"Alright." I see him sit Tyler back into his highchair, and go to the cabinet to get some baby food for him. But, by the way Tyler, which for the record isn't my son, just saying. I'm still virgin Mary, but the boy version. My friend Finn here was once married to a lovely Broadway star, Lea, Quinn's friend. When I found out they were pregnant, oh boy was I in for a ride. 9 months later, she gave birth, and well she got her big break. So 6 days a week she's performing on Broadway production of Les Miserable, and with that, I help Finn raise their son. It's sorta okay, he's a cute little guy, and I get to live in a free place, so it's a win, win. Right?

I reach the mailbox, and I pull out the mail. I look through them, bills, bills, bills, a letter from Quinn, bills. Wait! A letter from Quinn! I run up the stairs to the apartment, and I throw the bills onto the kitchen table, and run into the bedroom and lock the door. I sit on the bed and quickly open the letter;

Dearest Sam,

I got your address through your mom, sorry if it seems like I'm a stalker. I just wanted to talk to you. Yeah, I've missed you, I haven't seen you since that summer when we were 17. I know we're both 22 now, and you've probably met someone, but I haven't moved on. I hope that's okay.

Well, I must be going now. Someone is at my door. But I'll write soon...

So the air condition man just left and well, every man I see is just an epitome of you and my memories of you. I hope you can come back down soon.

Promise to write back?

~Quinn

I look over the letter again and notice, like every other letter she's sent me that she's signed it with her finest penmanship and that the envelope is sealed with a kiss. I bring the envelope up to my lips, and I softly kiss it. I know what I must do. I've ignored her for to long, never wrote back, ignored her phone calls, because I felt like it was just a summer fling. A passing moment.

But, I ignore my brain, and I go with my heart and I get a bag and I start packing it. I pack the essentials, boxers, soap, t shirts, pants. I don't know how long I'll be staying but I just throw whatever I need. I open the door and I write a quick note on the table snatch my phone and its charger and then in a flash I'm out the apartment and down the stairs.

When I reach the complex entrance, I tire of carrying my luggage and I pick it up and place it on my shoulders like a backpack and I run to my truck—the same one from that summer in Tennessee—and I toss my bag into the bag and I rush to my car and I enter and start the engine, and as soon as I know it, I'm heading to Tennessee. Down the same road I traveled away from, the road I've never dared to travel back down. But I'm now traveling back down it. To see the person I've never lost feelings for.