Chapter 12 #2
“Nothing major, most of the time. Sometimes I think he enjoyed riling me up,” I reflected with a chuckle. “He wouldn’t let me get down on myself when I was feeling overwhelmed with volleyball or my classes. He was always pushing me to have more confidence in myself.”
“Sounds like a good friend.”
“Mm,” I replied noncommittally.
“It sounds like this is someone who played a big role in your life at one point. Do you have a place for him in your life now?”
I’d been wondering the same thing since that morning when I’d opened his letter. Once again I tried to be honest, with Cheryl and with myself.
“We had a bit of a falling out. After we graduated, he wanted—he wanted our relationship to change. He wanted to be more than friends. Maybe I would’ve wanted that too, but I just got scared, you know?”
“I do.” She nodded, eyeing me carefully. “And your dad had just left your life. You were heading off to college. So you were probably feeling vulnerable to changes . . .”
She left the thought hanging. When I didn’t respond, she changed tactics.
“You say he just sent a letter. How did reading it make you feel?”
“Happier than I’ve been in a very long time,” I blurted out.
“Write him back,” she advised.
I spent the next week chewing on my thoughts, processing how I was going to respond to Cade’s letter.
I reread the letter, trying to determine how best to respond to his list and his questions.
My eyes snagged on the comment about his neighbor, Val, and I felt a twinge of jealousy. Was this a girl he was seeing?
Not that it mattered.
It’s not like I had any claim to him, friendship or otherwise. A 23-year-old man that good looking with his clear confidence—and a firefighter? No way he’s living as a monk. I brushed off the thought. Finally, I sat down with a piece of paper and my favorite pen and began to write.
Dear Cade,
Thank you for the letter. I’ll absolutely be taking you up on your challenge, and I’d like you to watch Sense & Sensibility, the 1995 version. I think you’ll recognize some of the actors from our movie nights.
Happy belated birthday. I’m sorry I missed it. Hope you got a popsicle, orange flavor like you like.
I’m not surprised to hear you still have a 12-year-old’s palate. We’ve been over this, and you should know by now that strawberry jam is worlds better than grape. I don’t know how to get you to see the error of your ways. I am impressed by the sushi addition, though. I did not see that coming.
You know I’ve wanted to be a nurse since we were kids. I thank God every day that you and both your parents got out of the fire unscathed. That was the scariest night of my life. I always wished I could have done more to help.
I really enjoy nursing. It’s exhausting, but it’s definitely where I’m supposed to be, jobwise. I might change my specialty someday, though.
I have a dog, too. Her name is Maple. You know how I always told you that Lady from Lady & the Tramp was the uncontested most beautiful Disney dog?
Well, Maple might have her beat. She has this beautiful coppery fur.
It’s so soft. And I swear sometimes when she looks in my eyes, she can read my thoughts.
Other than Whitney, she’s my closest friend. Is that sad to admit?
I’ll have you know that I do still keep my Fun Facts journal.
It’s my legacy—these pearls of wisdom might come in handy someday, when someone finds it long after I’m gone.
My latest entry is about finally finding the world’s most comfortable pair of socks.
I assume you remember how weird I am about socks.
Well, I’m happy to report that I finally found Comfeet (yes, really, that’s the brand name).
The seam actually stays put across the toes! True magic.
I wholeheartedly support you growing out your hair again. It always looked best a little longer and wavier. I liked how the ends would curl up when you got sweaty :)
I actually don’t drink because I have a condition called rheumatoid arthritis. I got diagnosed in college. I take medication for it, and mixing it with alcohol makes me crazy dizzy. One drink and I look like a stumbling drunk.
Now I have a few questions for you—you said everyone in your firehouse has a nickname. What’s yours? And a tattoo, really? I can’t imagine you with a tattoo. Where is it? What is it?
Talk soon,
B
Ten days later I opened his response. My hands shook slightly with excitement as my eyes skated across the now-familiar scrawl.
B,
If you ever come to Cali, I’ll have to take you to the jam place. Maybe we can both find new favorites :)
I can’t tell you what my tattoo is or where it is—you’ll just have to wait and see it in person one day. Don’t worry, it’s not in a dirty place.
Maple sounds like the perfect pup for you.
Echo has pretty soft fur, too. He was actually called Two-Face when I rescued him, because half his face is brown and the other half is more white.
It sounds weird, but trust me, he’s a handsome guy.
He takes after his dad :) Overall, he has kind of a cool merle coloring.
I changed his name because I couldn’t handle having him be a comic-book villain.
He deserves better than that. Echo’s my best bud, too. No judgment over dog best friends here.
I actually know a bit about RA. I’m EMT certified, so our professions may overlap more than you realize. I’m sorry to hear you’ve been struggling. Sending you one of my signature hugs, from afar. I hope you know you’re the bravest person I’ve ever known.
I haven’t watched the movie yet, but I will next time I’m off. I’ll report back with my thoughts.
Love,
Cade
P.s. - I’m very happy to hear about the socks.