Page 80 of Stone

Hope you’re okay and everything’s going well there.

The semester ends soon, and I’m making plans with the mayor to start work at his office at city hall. I’m looking forward to it, and Mayor Henderson has assured me I’ll learn a lot. He’s not holding back. I’ve already gone in to train on his computers, which has been great. I don’t know if you use them at work. John, but I think they’re fantastic inventions. Everything about them is so quick and efficient.

I went out on Friday night, just to Lorcan O’Shea’s bar for Stevie’s birthday. The usual crowd was there, and I had fun, even though you weren’t there, and I could only drink soda. Stevie and Robert are getting along again. Rob seems to be back to his usual self. Some guy from Mapletree bothered me, and Robert came to my rescue, which I thought was good of him.

He told me to say hi, and so did Stevie and Kelly. We all miss you, and Stevie said he’ll write again soon. He’s busy at the office and studying for his Colorado realtor’s license so he can work over the border, but you’re in everybody’s thoughts.

My mom and dad ask after you. Mom wants to know if there’s anything she can send you to make life easier. I told her you’re in San Diego, not the middle of Siberia, but it’s sweet she asked. I said she should drop you a line because you love getting letters. She agreed to write you all the town gossip next week, so make sure to look out for that.

I saw your mom again on Sunday. It’s a regular date now. I think she likes having somebody to sit with in church—as you know, your dad isn’t exactly God-fearing. She told me she’s glad he doesn’t go with her because he’d probably cuss out loud and give the pastor a stroke.

She’s probably right.

I’ll keep sitting with her for as long as she wants me to. Mom has Dad, so it’s only fair that I look after your mom, too, even if it is just sitting with her in church.

Things are getting a little easier with the club. I saw a few of the guys at the Lucky Shamrock on Stevie’s birthday, and I got a chin lift from them. Okay, so they didn’t exactly gush over me, but it’s better than the cold shoulder, and it’s progress, right? I still don’t go to your house. I don’t feel comfortable there without you. Bandit’s around, and even though he’s always cool, he’s also distant with me, so I’m going to let sleeping dogs lie and hope he comes around at some point this century.

John, I’m so proud of you.

I can’t believe how well you’re doing. Actually, that’s a lie, I can totally believe how well you’re doing. Even Dad was impressed when I told him you’d be a Lance Corporal soon. Can you call me when you hear how your final test went? I know you only took it recently, but I’m so excited for you, especially as it’s the gateway to you getting the weapons training you were so enthusiastic about. Can I ask what exactly the position you’ll be training for is? You’ve never really spoken to me about it. I hope you’re safe and happy. I hope being there feeds your soul.

Nothing feels right without you, John. You said you dream about me; well, I dream about you, too. I dream of hot summer days down by the creek. I dream of us laying under the sunshine while it heats our backs. I dream of danglingour feet in the cool water of the creek. I dream of splashes, squeals, and laughter. I dream of kissing you under our tree.

Hope those days aren’t gone forever, John. The world’s changing so fast that I can’t seem to keep up with it.

Write soon.

Yours always,

Elise

XOXO

Elise ~ June

John,

It’s been nearly four weeks, and nobody’s heard from you. Your mom’s worried. She says your dad’s quieter these days because he’s fretting so much (though he won’t admit it).

I’m okay. I’m working six hours a day at the Municipal building. I took notes for the town meeting last week. I was so nervous I’d miss something, but I got everything down and typed the next day. Mayor Henderson said they were the most thorough notes he’d ever seen, but honestly, they were just detailing the new annex for the high school and how the sheriff’s department wanted to take on another deputy. Still, I guess it was good that I got an easy meeting to start me off.

Stevie got his Colorado realtor license. We’re all so happy for him, except Kelly, who complains that she doesn’t see him as much anymore. Everything seems to be changing, John. People are going to college, leaving town, and findingwork in the cities. I couldn’t imagine leaving Hambleton, but I also wonder sometimes if I’ll be the only one left here.

Pete Barrington and Monica Stafford got engaged two weeks ago. They had a big engagement party at the new Country Club built just outside of town. They got planning permission to build houses down there, too. Every street will be named after a different flower, which I thought was a little corny. They’re also building a golf course at the club too. I overheard Robert talking to his dad about how it would bring new people to the town, but the ‘right kind.’ I thought that was mean. We all bleed red, John. Doesn’t matter how much money you’ve got in your pocket. What’s important is the love in your heart.

The best thing about working at the mayor’s office is spending time with Emmie Dixon. I love watching her go head-to-head with Robert (though he’s not there much). I’ve been told he’s got his own business, though I don’t know what it is or what it entails. Anyway, Emmie is hilarious. She says what she means and means what she says, and I think that’s the best way to be. I like knowing where I stand with people.

I don’t really know what else to say, John. I watch everybody go about their day and their business, but my life without you seems to stand still. I hate not hearing from you. I hate missing you so much. I hate not knowing where you are or what you’re doing. It’s the hardest part of this. You have a life that I don't know anything about, and sometimes I feel so detached it’s like I’m on the outside looking in.

I’ll sign off now.

PLEASE write soon.

Thinking of you every minute.

Yours always,

Elise

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