Page 151 of Drop Three

I pull her back, my arms caging her to get a good look at her. “Well, you look unharmed and in perfect working condition. That’s a relief,” I joke.

“I knew you wouldn’t believe me fully until you saw for yourself. You’ve always been stubborn like that,” she tells me.

“Yeah, I guess I have.”

“I won’t take up any more of your time. I just wanted to bring you this. Penelope gave me your address, just so you don’t think I’m some creepy stalker,” she giggles.

I couldn’t care less. I’m just glad she’s here and healthy. But I am slightly curious about what she has for me.

“What’s that?” I nod at the silver tin box in her hands.

Gwendolyn looks down for a moment, collecting her thoughts. Then her eyes meet mine, filled with unshed tears. “They’re your letters,” she says.

My stomach drops.She got them.

“You got them?” I ask her in shock.

I never knew if she received them. When I was in prison, I wrote her a letter a day, hoping she would write back at least once. I kept everything superficial, likely because I was ashamed, but it was my way of telling her how I felt and making some effort.

Those letters gave me closure and helped the long fucking days staring at a cell block bearable.

“I did.” Gwendolyn nods. “I couldn’t bring myself to read them.”

I understand that. “I get it. The whole situation was shitty. I’m sure with your recovery and all, the last thing you needed was to hear from your convicted friend in prison.”

She shakes her head. “No, Bodhi. That wasn’t it.”

“Then what was it?” I ask her curiously.

“I was afraid. You were my best friend, and knowing you were in such a cruel place, serving time for something that was just as much my fault as yours, made me sick. I couldn’t handle even thinking about what you went through. You’re so much stronger than me. You always have been.”

“Gwendolyn, I never blamed anything on you. Never once. Shit, I was just thankful to know you were alive. Writing those letters kept me alive. They kept me fighting. It’s a war zone behind bars, and I’d be lying if I told you there weren’t days I wondered if it was worth it. Worth it to stay hopeful and imagine a life outside of confinement. It’s hard to picture when you’ve been stripped of your freedom.”

She sobs heavily. “Bodhi…I…I’m so terribly sorry. I should have seen you sooner. I should have been there the day you were released. I guess I thought you may want these.” She hands me the tin. “I don’t need to read them. What matters to me is seeing how great you’re doing and how happy you are now. That’s the only closure I need,” she tells me.

My arms pull her in close. “Shh, don’t cry. It’s okay. We’re good. We both are. That’s the important thing.” She pulls back and I hold the tin closely. “Thank you for this.”

I don’t typically believe in symbolism, but this is different. To me, these letters represent the shitty past I’ve overcome and the stepping stones that led me to the path I’m on now.

A path I’m relieved to be on.

However, I know I don’t need to read them. I’ve used up that time now.

“Of course,” Gwendolyn breathes out, wiping at the tears running down her cheeks.

“B, is everything okay?”Navy.

I turn to find Navy wrapped in a plush pink robe, without an ounce of accusation on her face but clearly thrown off by our visitor.

“Navy, hey. Come here for a sec,” I say, ushering her over to where Gwendolyn and I stand by the front door.

“Bodhi, I’m so sorry. I had no idea you had company,” Gwendolyn panics, apologizing profusely.

Not letting my eyes leave Navy, I reach for her and gently pull her into my side, nuzzling my head into her. “Navy, this is Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn was my best friend years ago. She was dropping off an old memory.”

Navy smiles brightly. “Hi, Gwendolyn. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard little bits and pieces about you.” Navy’s hair is in a big messy bun with smeared makeup from tonight across her face, looking wild and untamed.

Yet, her confidence is radiant. She’s striking.

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