February, 2028
Dear Asher:
Six weeks since I saw you. I can’t believe we’re doing this, but I guess we are. Things at work are hard. I hate it, and I’ve never hated work. It’s one of the things that makes me good at it. That I can usually find the light even in the darkest night (see me using your metaphor here?)
It’s Valentine’s day this weekend, and I’m on call. On purpose, that is, because what else am I going to do? I don’t know how much about my personal life you actually want to know; if it’s TMI, just tell me.
The dating pool in Baker Oaks is smaller than ever, and I don’t have the energy or the bandwidth to do anything after work most days.
My free time usually goes to helping at home.
Since my mother’s Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, I’ve been picking up more and more things there.
This, I don’t want to talk too much about, so you only get one question.
Livie and Alex are trying to have a baby but having trouble.
It hurts my heart seeing her cry every month when she gets her period, so a lot of my free time has gone to just cheering her up.
I’m picking up extra shifts here and there, trying to pay off all my student loans so I can pitch in with my mom’s treatments a little more.
All of it is exhausting, which leaves me with little desire to date or try to meet someone outside this town.
My job, well, I hate it. Just thinking about it makes me mad.
I used to love being a trauma nurse at the pediatric hospital, but I’ve been doing it for over a decade, and I guess seeing children hurting and dying eventually takes a toll on your own mental health.
I don’t know how much longer I can do this.
I’m sorry if I’m being a whiny baby, but I can’t share all of this with Livie or my sisters.
They’re going through so much already. Everyone at work either loves it, or they’re new, and well, I guess I’m a loner now.
I don’t have anyone else in my life but the guy I’m only able to see once a year and I can’t even call.
Please tell me something funny. Anything. Bring some light into my life again.
Oh, by the way, here’s my phone number: 904-852-9633. I know you said you liked letters, but just in case you needed it for whatever reason.
Xo,
Hales