Chapter 9 Indiana
Indiana
Dear husband/ pen pal Tyler,
I agree, I’m still getting used to the fact that we’re married.
But at the same time, I’m comforted by it.
It’s hard to explain. I don’t know what it is about you, but when everyone saw you as a storm, you were my calm breeze.
Something about your presence soothes me.
Whenever I felt my heart racing I’d rush to our spot over at the Dam, and the moment my eyes found you, I felt at ease.
What you’re doing for me, I will never be able to repay.
You’re giving me the ability to feel independence.
I’ve never been able to live on my own, to feel free from the responsibilities my parents put on me.
I don’t know if I’ve said thank you before, so I’m saying it now.
Thank you, Ty. I mean it. You’ve done something for me that I don’t know if many would have.
Not even Derek would have done this, and he was my boyfriend.
My brother is letting me crash at his place this year, while I figure things out. He’s actually moving to Oregon in a year, so I’ve got a timeline to get my life in order.
Little confession though—my brother found the last letter you sent and he saw how you signed it.
We’ve been caught and I had to explain everything to him.
I’m sort of surprised he isn’t more upset.
He had a few choice words, but I’m obviously an adult and he understood the position I’m in with my parents and my health.
He did tell me I could have gone to him for help if I needed it, but I explained I wanted to find a way to figure some things out on my own the best way I can right now.
I trust he’ll keep this to himself, seeing that things are not great between my parents and I at the moment.
I just thought I’d let you know I did have to lay things out to him after I left that letter out on the counter.
I guess I won’t be working in law enforcement or anything like that.
Maybe stand-up comedy would suit me best? Thoughts?
I found a job close to the community college, waiting tables. I work nights, while I start summer classes, getting a jumpstart on some courses before fall semester. I’m liking what I’m doing, especially now that I’m not focusing on biology as my major.
Luckily, despite the secret revelation, my relationship with Bryce isn’t a problem.
My parents, however, are a different issue altogether.
We’ve had a few fights, ending in me hanging up the phone.
They don’t understand why I’m so upset, whereas, I’m holding firm on the fact they lied for my entire life.
My health is still teetering a bit, especially as I don’t have a complete understanding of what’s going on.
They’re still running tests to see what I could have.
They think it might be Crohn’s Disease. Once I have more answers, they’ll start to see what medications I might be a candidate for.
It’s been hard to find foods that don’t upset my stomach, especially when I’m running around all day.
The doctors were thinking that a family history might help narrow things down.
So, I tried finding my biological parents, but, unfortunately, my records are sealed.
Maybe I can hire a private investigator to look for them when I can afford it.
Aside from that, everything else is a mystery to me.
It’s going to take a lot more time and resources to get those unsealed so at this point, I will have to wait.
It’s frustrating, but right now, I have to focus on getting myself healthier.
Thanks to you, I have the ability to do that.
I did a little research and found out I can send you care packages once you’re done with boot camp, so get ready to accept those soon. I’ve got some ideas on what to send.
I think those are all the updates going on. How is everything else?
I was excited to receive your first letter and I know I’ll be anticipating the next. Hope you’re being careful out there.
XO-
Your tummy-troubled wife,
Indy