The usual disclaimers, though, I wish it weren't true. Please remember to leave a review!
Chapter 5
The Postman Cometh
Alex bit her lip as another student stood up, waving an opened envelope in the air. "Ms. Peevy, I received this yesterday!" The young girls eyes sparked with excitement, as the words burst out of her mouth. "It's from Puerto Rico."
Kristine smiled, turning to a world map she had fastened to a piece of cardboard, she stuck a pin in Puerto Rico. "Well, let's see, that makes six States, one Province, and three countries that we have received letters from." Holding up the map so all the students could see the pins.
Lowering the map, her eyes fell on the disappointed face of Alexandra Eames. Kristine drew a small breath in. "We still haven't seen any letters from Italy, Germany, Spain, and many others. Those will take a little longer for the letters to get there, and if they should write, back to here." She glanced over at Alex, who was slightly nodding her head. Ms. Peevy smiled, relieved that the explanation had reached the young woman's ears.
"Alright students, let's open our books to Puerto Rico and learn a little bit about this Province." Kristine took a seat, lightly congratulating herself of tying World History, Geography, and the letters together, keeping it interesting for the students.
Stretched out on his bunk, Bobby gently pulled the letter from behind his pillow. He glanced around the room before he removed the pages. Unfolding the sheets, he moved the first sheet behind the last. Shifting his shoulders against his pillow finding a more comfortable spot, he begins reading.
'I have two brothers and one sister. The boys are younger than I and can be a real pain. My sister and I fight a little bit, but for the most part, we get along.'
Bobby paused, trying to picture a houseful of kids, a mom and a dad. He sighed, remembering his often absent father. "I wonder what it's like to have a normal family?"
'Dad and I often play hoops. Are you into sports?'
"Use to be. Not much any more." Abruptly, he pushed off of his bunk, pacing the room, waving the pages in the air as he spoke. "It's just that I loved the game, but not, not the..." He stopped, sighing, staring at the pages. "You don't want to hear about that, do you? You're younger, and love to play the game with your dad...you don't want to hear why I quit, do you?" Looking at the sheets of paper, he shook his head. "No, no you don't." He dropped his arm to his side and began rubbing the back of his neck, trying to remove the tension he felt growing. "I wonder how different things would have been, if ..." He stopped, allowing a low growl escape his lips. "No point in wishing something that never happened." He slumped in a nearby chair. The words were barely audible, even to himself. "But I do wish."
Alex walked the half block from her bus stop. "Mom's right, give it time. I wonder if I should write him again?" She pondered the question as she walked quietly up the steps to the door. "He might not be the kind of guy who likes to write letters, maybe he enjoys getting them." She skewered her lips. "I really would like to get a letter." She nodded her head adamantly to that statement, as she pulled the door and stepped into her home. Walking by the table, she eyed a single envelope on the table. The cheerful colored paper made her think of her mother's sister, Rose. Dropping her backpack next to the table leg, she sighed. Well, at least someone is getting a letter.
Alex went directly to the cookie jar, pulling out two, sliding the jar back against the counter wall. Pulling out a chair, she set the cookies on the table, going to the fridge to get a glass of milk. Sitting down at the table, she reached over for the envelope. Her heart skipped a beat, and a squeal of surprise escaped her lips. Her mother quickly stepped into the room, smiling. "You found the letter!"
Her smile broadened. "I thought it was from Aunt Rose!"
Mrs. Eames laughed. "Aunt Rose wouldn't write on fancy paper like that, she'd use butcher paper."
She waited a moment, half expecting her daughter to rip it open. Alex's fingers lightly traveled the full length of the envelope, slowly turning it over reading the address. His writing is better than I thought it would be. She stroked the envelope again. The paper felt like butter beneath her finger tips. Mrs. Eames eyed her daughter in surprise. "You've been waiting a long time, aren't you going to read it?"
Alex clutched it to her chest, her eyes pleading. "No. I mean yes, but not here!"
"Alright, take the cookies and milk to your room."
The words barely out of her mouth, as Alex lept up from her chair, still clutching the letter. She gathered up her cookies and milk and headed up towards her bedroom. Her mother followed her to the base of the stairs. "Remember to bring that glass down when you're done!"
Hearing Alex's door close, she shook her head, and went back to the kitchen. Wiping off the table, she paused mid swipe. I just hope it was worth the wait.
Bobby stretched his long legs out in front of him, staring blankly at the pages. Get a grip Goren. He swiped a hand over his mouth. His mind cleared as he focused on the words.
'My mom stays at home. She's a good cook, and does a lot of baking. Her cookies almost melt in my mouth. I don't know how she does it. She wants to teach me, but, I don't see myself staying home cooking for someone. How about you?'
He grinned. "I, personally love to cook. But, lately, I don't have too much time." He glanced around the small room. "That's a lie, I do have time, just haven't been inspired lately. As far as just cooking, no, I don't see myself doing that either."
'I think my sister would be a great victim for Mom's plan. All she can talk about is how many kids she wants to have, the kind of home she wants to raise her family in, what her husband will do for a living. Yep, she'd be the one that Mom needs to train. Are you married, or have a girl friend?'
Bobby chuckled as he tilted his head in thought. "You don't beat around the bush, do you Alex? Let's see, the last time I was on a date..." He raised a brow, suddenly realizing that it has been more than three months. "Let's just say, it's been a while."
Alex took a bite of her cookie as she stretched out on her bed. Staring at the envelope as she turned it over and over in her hands. She furrowed her brow as she tried to make out what type of paper he had used. It doesn't really feel like paper.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she flipped the envelope over to it's back. Biting her bottom lip, she thought a moment. Scissors. Reaching into her nightstand, she pulled out a pair of blunt end scissors. Carefully cutting the end of envelope, she slipped the letter out. She gasped as she unfolded the paper. It's beautiful! I have never seen paper like this! A small smile crossed her face as she read the first few lines.
'Dear Alex,
Please call me Bobby...'
A/N: I thought it would be appropriate to stop the chapter right there. Lol More to come soon.