Page 42 of Eleanor & Grey

SUBJECT: Re: Father figures

I’m sorry about your dad, that’s tough, but you gotta do whatever makes you happy in this moment—that’s what your grandpa would’ve said, right?

Things down here are fine. It’s been quiet, but it still feels loud. Mom is doing okay, but Dad is struggling. It’s like he’s screaming in silence, and his echoes are bouncing off the walls. I hate it. I can only take so much, which led to my next life choice: I’m going to pick up some new hobbies, just to keep me out of the house.

I hate being home now, which is weird because it used to be my favorite place in the world. It’s just too sad.

I’m thinking of taking a crocheting class downtown with Mom, if she’s feeling strong enough to do it. I figured it might be nice to do something she’s into.

Did you know she learned to make cardigans from my grandma? That’s where all of my cardigans came from. The dragonfly was the last one she gave me. It’s my favorite one.

I’m also thinking of taking karate, because I just watched Enter the Dragon, and now I’m pretty sure I have to learn how to break a piece of wood with my foot.

Do you think alien teenagers get annoyed with their alien moms and dads?

I really want to imagine angst-filled adolescent aliens rolling their one eye at their overprotective parents.

Can you imagine the fights?

“Clean your room. Brush your hair. Stop taking the spaceship out at night to party on Mars.”

Anyway. Watch Enter the Dragon. You won’t be sorry.

-Ellie

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

DATE: December 3, 7:13 AM

SUBJECT: Enter the Dragonflies

Ellie,

I’m kind of hurt that you’d think I haven’t seen Enter the Dragon.

Me! Of all people! Ellie, I’ve seen that movie about fifty times, and I never get sick of it. It’s a classic. If you’re into that watch The 36th Chamber of Shaolin next. It’s so good!

Also, I’m happy you’re picking up hobbies. I’m going to feel really lost when the basketball season is over. What will I do with all the free time? Maybe I’ll pick up a hobby, too. Or hell, maybe I’ll just take the internship. Who knows?

Also, the idea of you kicking ass while knitting sweaters is pretty badass.

My kind of woman.

-Grey

P.S. Saw a dragonfly last night. Reminded me of you.

14

Eleanor

I wished I could say things magically turned around once we got Mom near the water, but it wasn’t true. Her health only declined more each day. For months, it felt like an uphill battle we were losing over and over. After a while, we had to push her around in a wheelchair. Some days, she couldn’t even get out of bed, and others we had to rush her to the hospital because she couldn’t breathe.

After her last trip to the ER in late April, we all knew time was running out. We never talked about it, though, because talking made it more real than any of us were ready for it to be.

Ding ding.

---