Casey and her father hadn't been home for more than an hour when her mother called to check in on her. Luckily for Casey, she happened to be in the shower, but it didn't keep her from the message her mother left.
"Casey," her dad called, hearing the bathroom door open. "Your mom called."
"And?" Casey wasn't so much irritated as confused. Her mother had called earlier, what could've made her call again?
"She said that there's an email that you're supposed to open or something." he explained. Casey hung her head, drying her hair with the towel.
"As if tonight's dinner wasn't bad enough," she thought to herself. She hadn't expected to see Aaron ever again. She didn't want to see him. Obviously Aaron hadn't told anyone about what had happened those years ago, but it still pained her to think about it. So, like every pain in her life, she hid it away, deciding not to think of it. "One problem at a time." She finally gave in, walking over to her laptop and signing on to her email account. There were no messages from Emily, her mom, or Lizzie; just the one that she'd refused to open. It seemed like she'd been fighting opening it forever, but now she had to. If she didn't, she knew her mother would continue to pressure her dad until he opened the email for himself. "Here goes." She clicked on the email and was brought to another page filled with blurring words. Her vision was becoming fuzzy, but she forced herself to focus and began.
Dear Casey,
I know that many things have changed. You've decided that it'd best suit you to move in with your father in New York. I understand wanting to forget, but you honestly don't have the right to. My husband and I have to live every day remembering our son. Just driving by the high school brings me to tears. It just seems unfair.
Tears began rolling down Casey's cheeks.
So, seeing as you were the last love interest of my son, I think it's necessary that we keep contact, no matter how difficult it might be for me. Us. Despite the fact that I greatly dislike you, and what you did to my son, I have no choice but to communicate with you because you hold some of the last memories of my son when he was happy. Please, send me a small tidbit of what he was like around you. Anything. A few months from now, the football team is going to have a memorial. They'd like you to be there. I would like you to be there. Your name was the first on his goodbye letter, you know. Have you read it? But please, do send word back soon.
Sincerely,
Mrs. McFarland
Casey immediately hit the reply button, wiping tears from her eyes. She hadn't read the letter. The McFarland's wouldn't let her. Now, suddenly, they decided that it was necessary to communicate to keep their son's memory alive? Casey had wondered about that letter from the moment she knew it existed. Despite feeling between herself and her ex's mother, she knew she had to read his goodbye note. She sent an email back saying that she would like to read the letter, and would consider returning for the ceremony. Minutes later, she had a new email to read.
Dear Casey,
Thank you for your reply. I'm glad that we'll be able to share our stories of Max. As for the letter, it's below.
Everyone,
I know that all of you will have questions about why I'm doing this. Especially you, Casey. I mean, I told you for three months that I'd do it, and you figured I wouldn't. Well, I guess I've proven you wrong, right? I just want you to know that I still love you, Casey, I always will. It's just that after that whole thing with Derek, I just couldn't stand being around you knowing that he…Anyway, just know that I love you, ok? I wouldn't have done this if I didn't think that it was what was best for you.
Mom, Dad, please don't be upset. You know that I love you both. But really, you knew that I would've never gone anywhere in life. It's just saving you money that would've been spent on a useless kid. I love you guys so much, don't ever forget that.