Chapter 2 - Letters

Oh yeah, forgot to mention this stuff in the first chapter. Rocket Power is a registered trademark of Klasky-Csupo. Although I'd love to snatch the rights to the show from Nickelodeon, I unfortunately have no ownership in the characters or the show. Maybe when I make my first million goes to count money. Drat, only 990,000 to go.

After reading the reviews, I just wanted to clarify that this may not be the exact story that was on doing this from memory.

The next day, after Twister and Sam had left, Reggie and Otto sat down to lunch in the kitchen. Raymundo was out running errands so it was just the two of them. Reggie, remembering what Sam had told her the night before, noticed that Otto looked a little tired. Something had been keeping him up for most of the night and she had a pretty good idea what it was.

In a gentle voice, she broached the subject: "Hey Rocket Boy, Sam was telling me about last night. I told him about Amy."

"Why is everyone talking about this? Why can't everyone leave me alone?" an irritated Otto replied.

"Look, I know how close you two were. But I don't understand why you are so touchy on the subject. Your bark is worse than your bite. Why don't you take some action?"

"Well what can I do?"

"Write to her or something."

"Well, what if she doesn't live in Michigan anymore?"

"I'm sure she hasn't left, Otto. Besides, it's worth a shot. You always take chances in sports. Why not try it?"

Otto sat silently for a few seconds, then conceded "You're right, Reg. I should try to write. It'll make me feel better."

Reggie, glad that another sibling argument had been solved, walked up behind his chair and hugged him. "Good for you." She then joked, "That'll be a great surprise for her. A note from a boy from the other side of the country. How romantic," as she nudged Otto with her elbow.

"Yeah, I guess," Otto mumbled, rubbing his side.

-

Later that evening, Otto sat at his desk. In front of him was a blank sheet of paper. As much as he wanted to talk to Amy again, he couldn't think of how to start. It had been three years, after all. He couldn't just re-establish their ties in any old way. Of course, Otto frequently encountered "writer's block"; he ran in to it almost every time he had to write a paper for class. "Time for some inspiration," he thought. He reached for the photo album on his bookshelf and sat looking at the pictures of him and Amy. Once again, the memories began to fill his head.

Finally, he decided to just go for it. Amy had been his friend, so she wouldn't mind how terrible his letter might be.

Hey Amy,

What's up? It's been a while since we've spoken to each other. I can't believe it's been three years since you left. Things have definitely changed around here. A new guy moved in to your old house. His name's Sam. Of course we ended up giving him the title "Squid". He's a bit clumsy at times but he really helps us out. You should see him as goalie on our street hockey team; nothing gets by him. Don't tell anyone, but I think he's in love with my sister. It's kinda weird but I guess it's OK since they aren't dating...yet.

Anyway, Sam was looking at my photo album last night and asked who that girl was in all my photos. I admit that I got a little protective and yelled at him. The truth is, I miss you. I don't know why I hadn't tried to find you earlier, but I do think of you often. Maybe we can see each other over the summer or something. I'd love to have you back in Ocean Shores. Please write soon.

Your friend,

Otto Rocket

"Phew," he thought. "That was easier than I thought." He folded the letter and placed it in an envelope. Then looking through a scrapbook, he found the address that Amy had written down before she left. He gave the letter to Raymundo to mail before going to bed.

-

A week passed. To Otto, it seemed like an eternity. At first, he thought that her address was invalid, meaning that his letter, and his chances of reuniting with Amy, were lost forever. However, after school on Friday, Otto found a letter addressed to him sitting in the mailbox. The return address was from Michigan; it had to be from Amy. He rushed inside and tore open the envelope.

Dear Otto,

It's great to hear from you again. Things aren't the same around here without you. Michigan is OK. We get lots of snow in the winter, so I have tried skiing a few times. Unfortunately, there is no surf out on Lake Michigan or Lake Erie. At least I can skate around. I've also gotten in to stargazing. I know it sounds kind of lame, but it's pretty cool. My dad gave me a telescope for my birthday and I have a secret spot out in the woods where I use it. If you come up to Michigan, I'll show it to you. Hope to talk to you soon.

Amy

Otto was very excited that Amy had written. It sounded like she was doing well although she seemed to miss him as well. However, something didn't seem right. And his concern wasn't with what she wrote; it was with how she wrote. Her handwriting looked very uneasy and sloppy. He knew she never wrote so poorly, at least when she lived in California.

"Maybe it's nothing," he thought. That night, before he went to bed, he sat and stared at her letter, wondering if what he should do. Finally, he made a decision and decided to take action the next day. He changed in to his pajamas and went to bed.

I was going to put more in this chapter but decided to draw it out in to two separate parts. Sorry the title is so lame. I also had put Amy's letter in a special font but wouldn't do it. I wanted to simulate the handwriting, but it's in a different "Web font" instead (if you have MS Word and stuff, I wanted to use the Chiller font-try it out to get the idea if you want).