Jim signed off the internet. It was Friday, and still no contact with Em. He sighed, and wandered downstairs. He opened the refrigerator and drank some milk from the carton. No one was home, it was no big deal. At that moment he heard that mail slot clank open and then tap shut with the flutter of letters on the welcome mat. He wandered out and picked up the letters, rifling through. Bill, junk, bill, mom, bill, dad, junk….
One for him. The return address was Em's house. He dropped all the other mail and immediately dashed up the stairs to his room.
He sat down on his bed with the letter, his fingers shaking slightly. He flipped it over and slid his finger under the flap and tore.
Inside was a hastily written letter in what Jim recognized as Em's handwriting immediately.
Dear Jim,
If you are reading this, then it means that I have made it to Boston and dropped this letter in a mailbox. I know it takes several days for letters to deliver between us, so if you receive this and have spoken to me, then you can disregard it, I suppose. If not, then this is a last goodbye.
As far as I know at this moment, I'm not coming back. I'm going to meet Trinity, and I imagine she's not working alone, and that I'll be leaving with her and perhaps a few others. She told me, when we spoke, that I would have to give up everything. While I don't quite understand what she means, I'd imagine I'm leaving home, Boston, and maybe even the country. I'm not sure. All I know is that it has to be better that the life I've been living has been.
Understand also, that you and Sherin have been the only two people who made this life worthwhile, and that, while I may be going on to a new life, I'll never forget you. I'd reminisce more, but you were there. You know how much we've shared, how much we…I don't know why this is hard to say. How much we love each other. You're my greatest friend.
-Em
Jim read it twice and felt his eyes well up. He swallowed hard and stared at the ceiling. A tear leaked out of his eye and rolled down his cheek. Jim bit his lip and punched his pillow.
"DAMNIT!" he cried, muffling his face in his pillow to stifle a sob, and he wept. After a moment he slowly stood with the letter, his chest heaving. He opened his window, and tearing the letter to shreds, let it fly in the sharp autumn breeze.
"Goodbye." He whispered, forcing down a sob, and then closed the window and turned away.
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(Author's Note: PLEASE—If you read—Review!! I know it's stupid, but I really like the reinforcement!! I love you all!! *blows kisses*)
