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July 23, 2009
Dear Sam,
I’m sitting in my room at my desk, which is way too small for me. I haven’t sat here in ages, but it felt like a place to write a letter. I still have Sean’s box of letters, I mean it’s only been one day, but I realized something about them that I wanted to tell you. Some of the letters are still in envelopes, and the envelopes have Sean’s address on them. So unless he moved to a new address in the last year, I think I can go to his house in Findlay. Did you know his last name is Fretthold? I thought it was Fretter, since that was what everybody called him. Aggie’s address is on the letters, too, but it’s a PO Box. I don’t really know what a PO Box is, but it’s not a house.
I thought this letter writing thing was going to be hard, but now I can’t stop thinking about things I want to tell you. I didn’t tell my best friend about Sean. I don’t think he would understand about him and Aggie, he’s kind of a dick about gay people, but it’s also because I don’t know how to talk about any of it. It’s like camp is one place and home is another and I don’t know how to put them together.
I wish I could talk to Sean just so I would know he was okay. Are you okay? I was kind of worried about you at camp but that sounded dumb, and I didn’t say it. Maybe I should start saying more things.
Write soon,
Finn
July 29, 2009
Dear Finn,
First of all, I am forced, by the annoyingness of my brother and sister, to say that they say hi too. Every time I sit down to write, they come in and ask if I’ve said hi from them yet. So, hi from Stevie and Stacy.
Honestly, I know Aggie’s full name is Agamemnon, but he’s still just Aggie in my head. You kind of learn to know a person by the name you use for them the most, right? Like, my brother is Stevie, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to call him ‘Steve’ with a straight face. That was a really good idea with the addresses! I mean, I guess that’s how I’m going to send you this letter back too, and if it’s on the back of the envelope, it’s not snooping right? Maybe Aggie goes to a boarding school or something?
Writing letters is a little hard for me, but it’s totally worth it. It’s the first time I’ve been excited for the mail to come, I think. My mom says I look like one of those puppies you train to take the letters from the postman. I’m sorry about your friend, but I’m sure he’s got some good qualities, otherwise why would you be friends, right? I totally agree about camp though. The first day back, my dad asked me to do something and I said “Yes, Coach.” It’s a different world.
It might take Sean a little while to get home. Maybe you could send his parents a letter and ask if they can let you know when he’s back? That way you’re not going over every week to see if he’s there.
I’m okay! Seriously, I don’t think you need to worry about me. Other people need more support, right? But I really appreciate you asking. It’s nice to hear that someone cares. Are you okay? You and Sean were really close, I know. If you need to talk about anything, I’m here to listen.
Until next time,
Sam