it, thinking about last night. She was still the same girl I remembered from high school. The same funny, gentle and caring girl. Even after all these years. Maybe I was the only one that changed. Back in the living room, I find Noah picking up the empty containers and plates and it really melts my heart to see what an amazing person he is. I’ve been here four days now and he has changed his entire schedule just for me. I didn’t know why but whatever the reason, I was grateful.
I pick up the empty bottles and clean up the rest of the mess we made the night before. Once the room looks decent, I go back to my coffee and he follows suit. We look at each other and he shakes his head and smile s.
“What?”
“This is so uncanny. I can’t believe we’re sitting here drinking coffee like it’s an everyday thing.”
“I guess. Look I have to go back in two days. What if I can ’t find this letter? Whatever is in it, it had to be important for her not to trust anyone with it. I mean, unless there is no letter and she’s just trying to get me to move back here.” I’m freaking out so immediately I start to count silently in my head.
“ Bren, she was too serious about it so I’m sure there is a letter. If we can’t find it in two days, I will keep looking for it. I promise.”
I shake my head hoping it will release all the tension and finish my coffee with one big gulp. I get up and start moving towards the attic and Noah follows. I’m glad we were able to keep the room clean or it would’ve been overwhelming. There are exactly six more boxes and my heart feels heavy at the thought that maybe there’s nothing I need in any of them. I take the same place on the floor, just like yesterday, and he places one of the boxes in front of me. He then sits across from me with another box opened and ready for the hunt.
There are so many letters in here; some my dad wrote to my mom while they were in high school, some my papa wrote to nana. My fingers itch to open them but I feel like I’m invading their privacy so I steer clear. I pile them in small organized stacks and keep looking around. Hours pass by but I can’t stop now. I have this weird sensation that we’re very close to whatever she wanted me to find and it makes my stomach hurt from nerves. What if I don’t want to know what’s in that letter? The last box is filled with clothes; no papers. Tears sting my eyes, a mix of defeat, anger, and hopelessness. Before Noah can say anything, I run out of the room. I can’t be in there right now.
I hear him call my name but I don’t stop until I’m in my car and he appears in the doorway just as I’m pulling out of the driveway. I wish I could drive as far from here as possible and never look back. I don’t know how long it’s been since I stormed out of the house. I am exhausted and hungry and when I see the diner come into view, I decide to go in and see if maybe Gigi is around.
“Welcome to Bonnie’s. Lunch for one?”
“No actually I was looking for Gigi.” The young girl is looking me up and down, probably deciding if it’s safe enough to share that kind of info with me. “It’s ok, I’m her friend from high school,” I say and slap a fake smile on.
“Oh ok. Well she’s not working today but she’s in the back. I’ll go get her.”
I take a seat at one of the tables, trying to calm my breathing. The anxiety is taking over and I feel like the walls are closing in. I put my head on the table and close my eyes; that’s how Gigi finds me.
“Hey, are you ok?” The second her hand touches my shoulder I break down. “ Shhh it’s ok, it’s ok. Come on, let’s get out of here.” She helps me to her car and I feel hopeless. She drives away and I don’t even care where we’re going as long as we’re moving. Eventually she stops in the front of an old house and turns the engine off. She
I pick up the empty bottles and clean up the rest of the mess we made the night before. Once the room looks decent, I go back to my coffee and he follows suit. We look at each other and he shakes his head and smile s.
“What?”
“This is so uncanny. I can’t believe we’re sitting here drinking coffee like it’s an everyday thing.”
“I guess. Look I have to go back in two days. What if I can ’t find this letter? Whatever is in it, it had to be important for her not to trust anyone with it. I mean, unless there is no letter and she’s just trying to get me to move back here.” I’m freaking out so immediately I start to count silently in my head.
“ Bren, she was too serious about it so I’m sure there is a letter. If we can’t find it in two days, I will keep looking for it. I promise.”
I shake my head hoping it will release all the tension and finish my coffee with one big gulp. I get up and start moving towards the attic and Noah follows. I’m glad we were able to keep the room clean or it would’ve been overwhelming. There are exactly six more boxes and my heart feels heavy at the thought that maybe there’s nothing I need in any of them. I take the same place on the floor, just like yesterday, and he places one of the boxes in front of me. He then sits across from me with another box opened and ready for the hunt.
There are so many letters in here; some my dad wrote to my mom while they were in high school, some my papa wrote to nana. My fingers itch to open them but I feel like I’m invading their privacy so I steer clear. I pile them in small organized stacks and keep looking around. Hours pass by but I can’t stop now. I have this weird sensation that we’re very close to whatever she wanted me to find and it makes my stomach hurt from nerves. What if I don’t want to know what’s in that letter? The last box is filled with clothes; no papers. Tears sting my eyes, a mix of defeat, anger, and hopelessness. Before Noah can say anything, I run out of the room. I can’t be in there right now.
I hear him call my name but I don’t stop until I’m in my car and he appears in the doorway just as I’m pulling out of the driveway. I wish I could drive as far from here as possible and never look back. I don’t know how long it’s been since I stormed out of the house. I am exhausted and hungry and when I see the diner come into view, I decide to go in and see if maybe Gigi is around.
“Welcome to Bonnie’s. Lunch for one?”
“No actually I was looking for Gigi.” The young girl is looking me up and down, probably deciding if it’s safe enough to share that kind of info with me. “It’s ok, I’m her friend from high school,” I say and slap a fake smile on.
“Oh ok. Well she’s not working today but she’s in the back. I’ll go get her.”
I take a seat at one of the tables, trying to calm my breathing. The anxiety is taking over and I feel like the walls are closing in. I put my head on the table and close my eyes; that’s how Gigi finds me.
“Hey, are you ok?” The second her hand touches my shoulder I break down. “ Shhh it’s ok, it’s ok. Come on, let’s get out of here.” She helps me to her car and I feel hopeless. She drives away and I don’t even care where we’re going as long as we’re moving. Eventually she stops in the front of an old house and turns the engine off. She