Please Come to Boston
Chapter 5
Six months later
"So," Chandler slung his laptop case over his shoulder as they got off of the plane. "What's next?"
"Um, three days at home?" Tom replied. "LA next week."
"Sounds good," Chandler smiled, genuinely meaning it. He really wouldn't mind stopping to see his mom while he was there. And, truthfully, he loved his new position. He loved talking to people all day. As much as he had hated his job, it was amazing he could successfully recruit people to work for his company. But he really, really loved it. And the traveling wasn't too bad, either. He loved seeing all of the new cities. He had bought a camera on a whim while shopping with Tom in St. Louis, and since had developed quite a love for photographing each new city. One of these days, he kept promising himself, he was going to take some of New York as well, but his heart wouldn't have it yet.
"Have a good weekend with your family," Chandler waved as they parted ways at the airport, silently praying the three days at home went fast, eager to get out of the city once again.
_._._._._._.
Monica walked as fast as her legs could carry her. As beautiful as Paris had been, and as much fun as she had doing nothing but cooking and baking for months, she had missed New York. The trip hadn't been a waste at all; in fact, it had been a complete success. It was true what they say, if you want to become fluent in a language, emerge yourself in it. And it hadn't hurt to get away from a place that reminded her so much of him. She had met some great people, learned a lot. She had a great new job to look forward to starting, and she had missed her purple apartment terribly, as well as her friends. Seeing Rachel waiting by baggage claim, Monica grinned, and Rachel squealed in delight, running to hug her friend.
She was home.
_._._._._._._
"So, how long are you home for?"
"Until late Monday night," Chandler answered Vanessa, his neighbor in his new apartment, both of them checking their mail. "Why, what do you have in mind?" he asked suggestively.
Vanessa laughed, knowing he was joking. "Well…would you mind watching Kenzi Saturday night?"
"Big date?"
"Eh, kinda," Vanessa shrugged, waiting for him, and walking up to their apartments together.
"Sure, no problem," Chandler smiled. "Beats the hell out of my plans."
"Which are…"
"Sitting at home alone all night. I'd much prefer the company of an 18-month-old," he smiled at the little girl in her arms.
"So, how was Phoenix?"
"Hot," Chandler laughed. "Hey, I need to shower, I've been sitting in airports all day," he unlocked his door. "Wanna grab something to eat later?"
"Definitely. Stop by when you're ready," she smiled, walking into her own apartment as well.
_._._._._._._
"What'd you bring me?!" Joey jumped immediately as Monica and Rachel walked through the door, both laughing at his reaction.
"I was supposed to bring you something?" Monica asked in mock confusion, reaching into her duffle bag. "I guess there might be something in here for you," she looked around the apartment, noting that Rachel had done her job. Everything of his was gone. No books. No CDs. No barca lounger.
"Ooh! Mon!" Phoebe popped up. "Your aura's all bright and orange now!" she exclaimed. "It was all murky and pea-green colored when you left," she wrinkled her nose.
Monica laughed. She was afraid that coming home was going to be all too hard, but was happily surprised to find it completely the opposite—all too easy.
_._._._._._._
Chandler sighed, dropping another letter into a mailbox before heading to the L.A. airport. They were going home for two weeks this time, and although Chandler was happy for a short break, he wasn't sure how he would handle it. He hadn't been home for more than three or four days at a time in six months, and it scared him to have that much time with his thoughts.
_._._._._._._
"Hey, Rach," Monica yelled. "Where's my mail?"
"Shoebox under the counter!" Rachel yelled back from the bathroom.
"Thanks," Monica grabbed the box, not at all prepared for what she would find. Taking the lid off, she immediately recognized the handwriting of the envelope on top. She frowned; there was no return address, post-marked the day she had left. Heart pounding, she flipped through the rest of that stack. There were dozens of letters, all post-marked from different cities. All his handwriting. All within days of each other, steadily, for the past six months. None with a return address.
"Mon, just a warning," Rachel walked out, realizing she was too late, seeing the tears in Monica's eyes, stack of letters on the kitchen table, the first one in her hands.
"Oh my god, Rach," Monica whispered. "Read it…."
To be continued…