A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long. I had a big case of writers block and I had to decide what was actually going to happen in this chapter. I tried to post this yesterday but for some reason it wouldn't let me, but its up here now. Just to warn everyone reading this, I have a final coming up at the end of this week so it may be another week until chapter 6 gets posted. Please review if you wish; it makes me want to write more sooner. Enjoy
Annie
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1, "Texas"
The week's end came much too soon for Nicky and Sara. The bond of friendship they formed went deeper than just being the same age. The two had each encountered one of the worst horrors in human existance. Together they understood life better than most adults twice their age. They taught each other that they were not alone anymore.
For Sara, Nicky was a source of comfort and a stronghold. After sharing their darkest secrets, Nicky gave her strength. He was the first person she truly considered a friend. Growing up in a small town had limited her contact with people her own age. Most of the kids in the town made fun of her for her interest in the plants and animals that were found, but Nicky shared her love of them.
For Nicky, Sara was someone who respected him for being him and really listened when he spoke. For so many years, Nicky had always been the youngest Stokes boy. Now, he had a friend of his own, not one of his siblings' friends' younger brothers. He could confide in Sara without worrying that his brother or sisters would find out.
When it was time for Nicky and John to leave, both children were hurting. The week had been magical for them. Nicky and Sara had found someone who treated them as if they were the only person on earth. Before Nicky and John drove off, the pair exchanged addresses so they could keep in contact.
Over the weeks and months that passed, letters were sent back and forth between Nicky and Sara. At the beginning of the next summer, Sara ran out to get the mail and her letter from Nicky. However, the letter she was looking for was not there. After a week of waiting, it finally arrived from Texas. Sara ran up to her room and began to read...
Dear Sara,
I'm sorry for taking so long to write to you. A lot has happened since I got your letter. I needed time to think. Remember the babysitter I told you about? Well she died in a car accident last week. I was in shock for a few days. I wasn't sure how to feel. Well, I did feel relieved. I was happy because she got what she deserved. But I shouldn't be feeling that way. Someone died. I shut myself in my room for a few days trying to deal with it all. I passed it off as feeling sick because I didn't want my mom to know. I know you think I should tell my parents what happened, but I just can't. I can't live with the shame; I don't want to be treated any different. And now, she's gone and she won't hurt anyone else so it doesn't matter that much anymore. I don't want to hurt her memory because she hurt me. Revenge will do me no good. I also feel really guilty. I have always wished that she would just die off so I didn't have to deal with her, and now it happened. I can't help but feel bad that she died and somehow it's my fault. My family went to the funeral, but I couldn't bear to go. I wanted to but it was too painful. How could I comfort a family where I wished that their daughter would die?
Anyways, I think that's enough of a depressing topic. Guess what. After months of convincing my parents that I'm growing up and they should stop calling me Nicky, they have. I don't want to be treated as a baby anymore. That's the hardest thing about living in a big family. Sometimes I wish I were an only child like you. I can't wait for your next letter.
Your friend,
Nick
After Sara finished reading over Nick's letter a few times, glanced up at the yellow tulip hanging on her wall as she thought about what to write back. Nick was going through so much and she wished she was there to comfort him, but Texas and California are a long way away. She sighed as she began to write...
Dear Nick,
Don't worry about taking so long. I can't imagine what you've been going through. Remember though, she didn't' just hurt you, she violated you in the worst way possible. She took away something that was yours to give away. I was lucky. My mom sacrificed herself for me, but at the same time I saw it all happen. I wish that the guy who hurt my mom would die as well, but wishes don't kill people. You didn't make her die so don't feel that way. I wish I were in Texas right now so I could give you a hug and help you, but I can't. You can do it Nick and you can write me as many letters as you need to. Please consider talking to your family. I don't think they'll treat you any different. It will only help you.
So what's this about wanting to be an only child? Please, take my place. I'd love to have siblings around to play with. Instead I'm stuck all alone with parents who don't understand me. I wanted to go to a science camp over the summer; my parents just laughed. I can just hear my dad's voice playing through my head, "Sara, you know summer is our busiest season. We need you here to help out. Besides, its good training for when you take over someday." Take over? I don't want to run a B&B. I want to go away somewhere and go to college. I want out of the small town life. I am tired of always being around the same people at school. I only have Jessica, but I think she's only a friend with me out of pity. Sometimes I wish Texas wasn't so far away. Thanks for listening to me rant about my parents again. Sometimes that's all I feel I do in these letters. Thanks for always being there, even if it's just in letters. Enjoy the rest of your summer and forget about her. Write back soon.
Your friend,
Sara
After finishing the letter and addressing it, Sara put it in the mailbox to be sent off to Nick. Then she walked over and sat on the tire swing to dream of him.