Chapter 9

Remembering the Past with Letters and a Photo or Two

When we get back to Dick's place, I put all but one of my books in a safe place.

I've kept the book of Dick's letters out.

Dick smiles, goes to get his book of letters, then comes back.

I can't help but smile back.

On the front it says: Letters From My Sister Friend.

Mine says Letters From My Brother Friend on the front.

Before we start reading, I pull out my wallet and show Dick the photo I have of us.

"I was wondering if you have a copy of this."

He smiles.

"Yeah, I have my copy in a frame on my nightstand. What's the other photo in your wallet of?"

When I show him, he looks at me.

"Oh H. I'm sorry."

I smile.

"It's O.K. Now, let's read some letters. I'll read yours and you read mine."

After I put my wallet back in my pocket, we exchange books.

I heft his and take on a mock serious tone.

"What is in here?"

Like I don't know.

"I could ask you the same thing. Instead I'll convince you to start reading since you wrote the first letter."

Dick has a good memory.

That was 10 years ago.

"Hi Dick.
This is the my first letter I've ever written. We did promise to stay in touch.
How's life with Bruce?
I'm doing fine and I hope you are too.
Maybe some day I'll come to Gotham and see you.
Until then write back soon.
Your friend,
Hannah
P.S. Sorry my letter's so short. Daddy said I have to go to bed. So, Goodnight Dick."

"I remember our letters were pretty short to begin with." "Yeah, but they eventually got longer."

I smile.

One time Dick wrote me a really long letter. I remember the envelope looked so thick. Daddy smiled. "What's in this?" I grinned. "A letter from my [Brother-Friend]." I was 12 and that was the first time I used that term for him. "Excellent use of Ancient Fey, my flower. I guess that makes you his sister friend." Sure enough, in that letter he called me (in Romany) his sister friend...

"Hi Hannah.
This is the first letter I've ever written too. Like you said, we did promise to stay in touch.
Life with Bruce is good.
I wanted to send you one of Alfred's chocolate chip cookies but he wouldn't let me.
That's a real shame because I know you'd like them.
I'm glad you're doing well because being sick stinks.
Maybe some day I'll come to Metropolis and see you.
Until then, as you said, write back soon.
Your friend,
Dick
P.S. Sorry my letter's so short. Bruce said that I have to do my math homework."

"Hi Dick.
Math homework?
That's my least favorite subject.
I told Daddy about the chocolate chip cookie thing and he said that it's the thought that counts.
Thanks for thinking about me.
I think Alfred sounds pretty cool. Getting your letter was cool too.
I keep it on my nightstand.
I'm thinking of putting it in a book someday.
Daddy said that's a good idea and that I should do it for posterity.
That means for the future.
I bet I'll have lots of letters from you in the future.
I'm going to keep all of them, I just know it.
I'm not sure what to call the book just yet though.
Maybe I'll call it Letters From My Friend.
I like the way that sounds.
Write back soon.
Your friend,
Hannah
P.S. I almost forgot to ask you this. What do you think will happen in the future? Like, I don't know, 10 years from now?"

I blink back tears as i notice the date on the letter.

I bite my lip.

Its date is September 1st.

10 years after that letter was written...
I saw my Daddy die.