February 1, 2025
february 1, 2025
Jakey Jake,
You know, I’m not convinced that you studied engineering in college. Are you sure you weren’t secretly studying English? Writing prose? Because you have a way of spinning words and making me think. Making me smile. My roommate snapped a photo of me smiling as I read your letter, then printed it and forced me to add it to the envelope. So, enjoy a geeky photo of me in my Tony Stark pajama set, greasy hair in a ponytail, smiling at your letter like a fool. Ignore the wrinkles at the corners of my eyes. Apparently that happens when you age.
I don’t remember much about that first week of band camp. I remember it being really hard. I also remember how I desperately wanted to be a captain. Even then, one week into band, I knew I wanted to go all in. I wanted to stand on the field during the awards ceremonies and scream at freshmen to run when they were misbehaving and shape the band into the best they could be. I remember the devastation I felt when I realized I was graduating and it would all be over…then realized I didn’t have to say goodbye to it, and I could continue with band in a new way.
I’m sorry I don’t remember that lunch. But I remember small moments of our friendship being formed. Showing up to your house an hour before a band dinner and helping you and your mom set up that massive buffet. Or that time we all piled into the bed of Hernandez’s truck after practice and drove to get ice cream, how we had to lie down flat in the bed when we saw cops on the road so he wouldn’t get pulled over. We laughed so hard my belly hurt the rest of the night.
In my gut, I know that you’re right. I know that I should choose joy and all of that, to enjoy parts of my life that I love. I do that in small ways. The Tony Spark pajamas are part of a very interesting Shelly that has transformed over the years: a woman who somehow fell in love with Marvel and has theories upon theories about the Multiverse. I’ve watched all of those movies in order at least three times, as well as all of the corresponding TV shows. I haven’t made it to a Comic Con yet, but I really want to. Probably dressed as Captain Marvel, because of course.
I also really love going to coffee shops. But specifically the cozy kind that have lots of pastries slathered in frosting with a plethora of knickknacks and framed photos of people you don’t know lining the walls. I like wearing something comfy and going for a coffee and a pastry and people-watching. It’s my favorite way to explore a new town; you learn so much at their local café. Kind of like Mulligan’s. Does Mariner’s Cove have a café yet, by the way? They should.
I still get so much joy in playing my flute, but that shouldn’t be too much of a shocker.
I also love writing letters to you.
These things do bring me joy. I guess that’s why I decided to add this photo to the letter.
A Shelly smile, just for you.
Your Shelly
P.S. I want a photo of you now.
P.P.S. My god, I miss your mom’s enchiladas. Can you make them for me sometime?