Authors note: Just so that everyone knows, cause I didn't really put it in here, they send the mail first class to each other, that is how Amanda and Lee get the letters so soon. This story might be off the subject of "You've got mail", but I just wanted to point out that even though Amanda and Lee were so far apart, he's always there for Amanda. It also shows how there friendship has grown. I am sorry if you don't like it, but don't worry this is the only time that I'll be getting off the subject.
Summary: Something happens to Amanda and she doesn't want to talk about it. Can Lee help her out?
Time line: 1977 11h grade
I'd like to thank Kate and the people in the forum room that helped me and answered a lot of my questions.
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Amanda, not fully aware of what her mother just said, said: That's nice mother.
Dotty: It's from Bruce.
Amanda suddenly snapped out of it, grabbed the letter, and ran upstairs yelling: Thanks mom!
She jumped on her bed and was ready to tare the letter open when she thought of something. Her smile faded and said out loud, talking to herself: What if this is a letter telling me good-bye? What if he doesn't want to be friends anymore? OH AMANDA, just open the darn thing! (She opened the envelope, closed her eyes, and took out the letter. She finally forced her eyes open and read the letter.)
"Dear Kate,
Hi! I know what you must be thinking, "I don't want to be friends anymore." Well, you are wrong! (Amanda smiled.) I still want to be friends. Kate, you mean a lot to me, you are not only my best friend, but you are my only real friend that I have. (Amanda wiped away her happy tears and continued reading.)
The reason why I didn't write back to you earlier is because we just moved to Arizona. Your letter came in through the mail, the day before we left and my Uncle forgot to give it to me. I am really sorry if I hurt you. I would never want to hurt you. That is the last thing that I want to do.
I hope you write back soon.
Your friend ALWAYS and FOREVER,
Bruce."
Amanda being in total relief hugs the letter to her and falls to the bed thinking about what she should write back to him about.
Four days later Lee got a letter.
"Dear Bruce,
Hi! I am so glad that you wrote back. To be perfectly honest I was a little disappointed that you didn't write back. I thought that you truly didn't want to be friends anymore, but that I know that you still want to be friends, I am very happy. The same goes here, you are my best friend that I have too and you, also, mean a lot to me.
So you are in Arizona, huh? It must be hot down there. You must hate it; it never snows where you are. It doesn't snow in Florida and it doesn't snow in Arizona. I would hate to be in a place where there isn't any snow! I must have my snow for Christmas. Look at me, I'm rambling! I don't usually do that.
So, how is school going for you? Any new friends yet? I know that you told me before that you make friends quickly. Well, I hope you enjoy it in Arizona. Talk to you soon. I have lots of homework to do.
Please write back soon.
Your friend, ALWAYS and FOREVER,
Kate."
Lee smiled, he couldn't remember ever being so happy before.
January 1978 (Still in 11th grade.)
Lee just got a letter from Amanda telling him how she got a boyfriend and a date to a very big dance in February and she went on and on about him. He was so happy that she was happy and he wrote her and told her that.
Lee didn't get a letter all that month and he wasn't expecting letters every other week, now that she had her boyfriend. But he couldn't wait to talk to her, so he wrote her another letter.
Meanwhile in Virginia...
Dotty: Amanda, you got another letter from Bruce. You should really write him back.
Amanda: Mom, I would, but I am so busy getting ready for the big dance next month. I am helping out the lady who is in charge with it. I wrote to Bruce and told him about what is going on and he understands. He just likes writing to me. (She smiled.)
Dotty: Amanda, I do believe that you have a little crush on this boy Bruce.
Amanda: MOTHER! I do not! I don't even know him! And besides, I already have a boyfriend.
Dotty: Just because you have a boyfriend doesn't mean that you can't have a secret crush on someone else.
Amanda: MOTHER!! I would never do such a thing. (She ran out the door.)
The next month and the day of the big dance...
Dotty: Amanda, another letter from Bruce.
Amanda took it and went upstairs to get ready for that night.
That night...
Amanda's boyfriend, Dan, arrived at Amanda's house to bring her to the dance.
The doorbell rung and Dotty answered it: Hello Dan.
Dan: Hello Mrs. West, it's very nice to see you again.
Dotty: Thank you. Don't you look nice in your suit?
Dan: Thank you.
Dotty: I will get Amanda. (She let Dan in and went upstairs to get Amanda.)
Dotty went upstairs and saw Amanda standing in front of the mirror with her blue dress on.
Dotty: Dan is here.
Amanda: Thank you mother.
Later that night...
Amanda and Dan shared a table with two of Amanda's friends, Alicia and Lindsey, and their dates.
Soon Alicia said: I have to go use the ladies room. (Gave a quick look to Dan and walked away.)
A few minutes later...
Dan: I am going to talk to Kurt. Be right back.
Amanda: Okay.
Dan got up and left, but instead of going to see Kurt he snuck into the bathrooms. Lindsey noticed this.
Lindsey: Amanda, I think Dan just went to see Alicia.
Amanda: So.
Lindsey: He snuck into the bathrooms.
Amanda knew exactly what she was getting to: Lindsey, Dan would never do that to me!
Lindsey: Why don't we go to the bathroom and check it out.
Amanda: I don't have to I trust my boyfriend.
A few minutes later neither Dan nor Alicia came back yet.
Amanda: I have to use the ladies room.
Lindsey: I'll come too.
They got up and headed to the bathrooms. When they reached the bathrooms Amanda could clearly see that Alicia and Dan were making out in the bathroom.
Amanda: DAN!!
Dan suddenly stopped: Amanda, I, uh, I... I'm sorry.
Amanda didn't want to let anyone see her cry, so she ran out of the bathrooms and out of the school.
Lindsey and her date brought her home.
When she reached home she ran straight up the stairs and didn't come out for the whole entire weekend.
A whole month went by and Amanda couldn't snap out of it and she never told her mother what happened.
Near the end of March Amanda got another letter from Bruce.
"Dear Kate,
I can't help but feel that something is not right. I know that you are busy with your boyfriend, other friends, and school, but you can't even write me a little letter to know how you are doing. I am including my number, it rings right into my room. Just incase you feel like talking. I really can't shake this feeling that something is not right. Please call or write just to calm my nerves. Thanks.
Your Friend,
Bruce."
Amanda so wanted to talk to him and tell him what happened, but she hasn't spoken to anyone about what happened that night. But she would try. She picked up the phone dialed the number.
Lee: Hello? (Amanda held her breath and hung up.)
In Arizona...
Lee: That was weird.
She did that two more times.
That Friday night she was not able to fall asleep and not aware of the time she gave Lee another call.
It rang about four times.
A very sleepy Lee: Hello?
Amanda didn't say anything and didn't hang up.
Lee: Hello?!
Amanda started to breath harder and was about to hang up.
Lee: Please, please don't hang up. (Amanda didn't.) You've been calling so many times and hanging up. I think that you are the same person. (Still no answer.) Well, I'm up now, so just tell me what you want.
Amanda looked at the clock. It was 4 o'clock in the morning! It was 1 o'clock there.: Bruce...
Lee: Kate!
Amanda: I am so sorry that I woke you up, I had a hard time sleeping and I didn't look at the clock, so I just called. I'm sorry; I'll call back later. (She rambled.)
Lee laughed, she really did ramble: No! No, don't call back, talk to me now.
Amanda: Okay.
Lee could hear the hurt in her voice: Kate, are you okay? I have this feeling that something is just not right.
Amanda: You're right something is not right. I broke up with my boyfriend the other month.
Lee in a teasing voice: Is that all?
Amanda: Is that all? Is that all?! Bruce, the night of the big dance that I was looking so forward to going too, I found him making out with one of my best friends in the bathroom! He used me, Bruce! He used me to get closer to her!
Lee felt really bad: Kate, I'm sorry. I didn't want to make you angry. (There was no answer, but he did hear little sobs.) Kate, I wish I were there for you.
Amanda: You are there for me. You are the only one who knows about it. Not even my mother knows. (She cried.)
Lee didn't know what to do. He was never used: Kate, do something for me.
Amanda: Anything.
Lee: Cradle the phone between your head and your shoulder, (She did so.) put your arms around yourself, (She did so.) and squeeze. (She did so.) That is a hug from me and whenever you feel lonely or hurt again, just do that and think of me. I'm sorry that I can't be there in person.
Amanda: Thank you so much Bruce. Just because you aren't here in person doesn't mean you aren't here for me and I thank you so much for being here for me.
Bruce: You're welcome.
Amanda: I must be going now. It's late and it's long distance. I'll be writing to you soon. Thank you.
Bruce: No, thank you for calling me and for telling me. Good night and sweet dreams.
Amanda: You too. Good night. (She hung up the phone.)
Amanda laid back down and fell asleep with her arms around herself.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Author note: I thought that I shouldn't do a phone conversation, but then I remembered that people's voices could change within 16 years.
Summary: Something happens to Amanda and she doesn't want to talk about it. Can Lee help her out?
Time line: 1977 11h grade
I'd like to thank Kate and the people in the forum room that helped me and answered a lot of my questions.
*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMK*SMKK*
Amanda, not fully aware of what her mother just said, said: That's nice mother.
Dotty: It's from Bruce.
Amanda suddenly snapped out of it, grabbed the letter, and ran upstairs yelling: Thanks mom!
She jumped on her bed and was ready to tare the letter open when she thought of something. Her smile faded and said out loud, talking to herself: What if this is a letter telling me good-bye? What if he doesn't want to be friends anymore? OH AMANDA, just open the darn thing! (She opened the envelope, closed her eyes, and took out the letter. She finally forced her eyes open and read the letter.)
"Dear Kate,
Hi! I know what you must be thinking, "I don't want to be friends anymore." Well, you are wrong! (Amanda smiled.) I still want to be friends. Kate, you mean a lot to me, you are not only my best friend, but you are my only real friend that I have. (Amanda wiped away her happy tears and continued reading.)
The reason why I didn't write back to you earlier is because we just moved to Arizona. Your letter came in through the mail, the day before we left and my Uncle forgot to give it to me. I am really sorry if I hurt you. I would never want to hurt you. That is the last thing that I want to do.
I hope you write back soon.
Your friend ALWAYS and FOREVER,
Bruce."
Amanda being in total relief hugs the letter to her and falls to the bed thinking about what she should write back to him about.
Four days later Lee got a letter.
"Dear Bruce,
Hi! I am so glad that you wrote back. To be perfectly honest I was a little disappointed that you didn't write back. I thought that you truly didn't want to be friends anymore, but that I know that you still want to be friends, I am very happy. The same goes here, you are my best friend that I have too and you, also, mean a lot to me.
So you are in Arizona, huh? It must be hot down there. You must hate it; it never snows where you are. It doesn't snow in Florida and it doesn't snow in Arizona. I would hate to be in a place where there isn't any snow! I must have my snow for Christmas. Look at me, I'm rambling! I don't usually do that.
So, how is school going for you? Any new friends yet? I know that you told me before that you make friends quickly. Well, I hope you enjoy it in Arizona. Talk to you soon. I have lots of homework to do.
Please write back soon.
Your friend, ALWAYS and FOREVER,
Kate."
Lee smiled, he couldn't remember ever being so happy before.
January 1978 (Still in 11th grade.)
Lee just got a letter from Amanda telling him how she got a boyfriend and a date to a very big dance in February and she went on and on about him. He was so happy that she was happy and he wrote her and told her that.
Lee didn't get a letter all that month and he wasn't expecting letters every other week, now that she had her boyfriend. But he couldn't wait to talk to her, so he wrote her another letter.
Meanwhile in Virginia...
Dotty: Amanda, you got another letter from Bruce. You should really write him back.
Amanda: Mom, I would, but I am so busy getting ready for the big dance next month. I am helping out the lady who is in charge with it. I wrote to Bruce and told him about what is going on and he understands. He just likes writing to me. (She smiled.)
Dotty: Amanda, I do believe that you have a little crush on this boy Bruce.
Amanda: MOTHER! I do not! I don't even know him! And besides, I already have a boyfriend.
Dotty: Just because you have a boyfriend doesn't mean that you can't have a secret crush on someone else.
Amanda: MOTHER!! I would never do such a thing. (She ran out the door.)
The next month and the day of the big dance...
Dotty: Amanda, another letter from Bruce.
Amanda took it and went upstairs to get ready for that night.
That night...
Amanda's boyfriend, Dan, arrived at Amanda's house to bring her to the dance.
The doorbell rung and Dotty answered it: Hello Dan.
Dan: Hello Mrs. West, it's very nice to see you again.
Dotty: Thank you. Don't you look nice in your suit?
Dan: Thank you.
Dotty: I will get Amanda. (She let Dan in and went upstairs to get Amanda.)
Dotty went upstairs and saw Amanda standing in front of the mirror with her blue dress on.
Dotty: Dan is here.
Amanda: Thank you mother.
Later that night...
Amanda and Dan shared a table with two of Amanda's friends, Alicia and Lindsey, and their dates.
Soon Alicia said: I have to go use the ladies room. (Gave a quick look to Dan and walked away.)
A few minutes later...
Dan: I am going to talk to Kurt. Be right back.
Amanda: Okay.
Dan got up and left, but instead of going to see Kurt he snuck into the bathrooms. Lindsey noticed this.
Lindsey: Amanda, I think Dan just went to see Alicia.
Amanda: So.
Lindsey: He snuck into the bathrooms.
Amanda knew exactly what she was getting to: Lindsey, Dan would never do that to me!
Lindsey: Why don't we go to the bathroom and check it out.
Amanda: I don't have to I trust my boyfriend.
A few minutes later neither Dan nor Alicia came back yet.
Amanda: I have to use the ladies room.
Lindsey: I'll come too.
They got up and headed to the bathrooms. When they reached the bathrooms Amanda could clearly see that Alicia and Dan were making out in the bathroom.
Amanda: DAN!!
Dan suddenly stopped: Amanda, I, uh, I... I'm sorry.
Amanda didn't want to let anyone see her cry, so she ran out of the bathrooms and out of the school.
Lindsey and her date brought her home.
When she reached home she ran straight up the stairs and didn't come out for the whole entire weekend.
A whole month went by and Amanda couldn't snap out of it and she never told her mother what happened.
Near the end of March Amanda got another letter from Bruce.
"Dear Kate,
I can't help but feel that something is not right. I know that you are busy with your boyfriend, other friends, and school, but you can't even write me a little letter to know how you are doing. I am including my number, it rings right into my room. Just incase you feel like talking. I really can't shake this feeling that something is not right. Please call or write just to calm my nerves. Thanks.
Your Friend,
Bruce."
Amanda so wanted to talk to him and tell him what happened, but she hasn't spoken to anyone about what happened that night. But she would try. She picked up the phone dialed the number.
Lee: Hello? (Amanda held her breath and hung up.)
In Arizona...
Lee: That was weird.
She did that two more times.
That Friday night she was not able to fall asleep and not aware of the time she gave Lee another call.
It rang about four times.
A very sleepy Lee: Hello?
Amanda didn't say anything and didn't hang up.
Lee: Hello?!
Amanda started to breath harder and was about to hang up.
Lee: Please, please don't hang up. (Amanda didn't.) You've been calling so many times and hanging up. I think that you are the same person. (Still no answer.) Well, I'm up now, so just tell me what you want.
Amanda looked at the clock. It was 4 o'clock in the morning! It was 1 o'clock there.: Bruce...
Lee: Kate!
Amanda: I am so sorry that I woke you up, I had a hard time sleeping and I didn't look at the clock, so I just called. I'm sorry; I'll call back later. (She rambled.)
Lee laughed, she really did ramble: No! No, don't call back, talk to me now.
Amanda: Okay.
Lee could hear the hurt in her voice: Kate, are you okay? I have this feeling that something is just not right.
Amanda: You're right something is not right. I broke up with my boyfriend the other month.
Lee in a teasing voice: Is that all?
Amanda: Is that all? Is that all?! Bruce, the night of the big dance that I was looking so forward to going too, I found him making out with one of my best friends in the bathroom! He used me, Bruce! He used me to get closer to her!
Lee felt really bad: Kate, I'm sorry. I didn't want to make you angry. (There was no answer, but he did hear little sobs.) Kate, I wish I were there for you.
Amanda: You are there for me. You are the only one who knows about it. Not even my mother knows. (She cried.)
Lee didn't know what to do. He was never used: Kate, do something for me.
Amanda: Anything.
Lee: Cradle the phone between your head and your shoulder, (She did so.) put your arms around yourself, (She did so.) and squeeze. (She did so.) That is a hug from me and whenever you feel lonely or hurt again, just do that and think of me. I'm sorry that I can't be there in person.
Amanda: Thank you so much Bruce. Just because you aren't here in person doesn't mean you aren't here for me and I thank you so much for being here for me.
Bruce: You're welcome.
Amanda: I must be going now. It's late and it's long distance. I'll be writing to you soon. Thank you.
Bruce: No, thank you for calling me and for telling me. Good night and sweet dreams.
Amanda: You too. Good night. (She hung up the phone.)
Amanda laid back down and fell asleep with her arms around herself.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Author note: I thought that I shouldn't do a phone conversation, but then I remembered that people's voices could change within 16 years.