“He forgot a letter.”
I say as I flip through the stack of envelopes the lady handed me.
She slowly shakes her head and says, “no that’s all we have for you.”
I twist my mouth to one side and peruse the mail I’m holding one more time. There’s no lavender 5x7 card envelope in the stack. “Are you sure?” I ask again.
The lady behind the desk of our neighborhood clubhouse looks annoyed. She rips her glasses off and points them at me as she speaks. “That, what you have in your hand, is all the mail our postman had for you.” Her voice is stern—final.
I chew the inside of my lip to prevent it from quivering as I back away from the counter and walk out.
I sit in my car, the mail sprawled across the passenger seat. I stare it hoping maybe my eyes are deceiving me and the card will magically appear. It doesn’t.
I contemplate calling him to ask why he failed to make good on his promise, but before I can decide, he calls me.
“Hey,” my answer is dry from disappointment.
“Did you get it?” On the contrary, he’s giddy with excitement.
His tone confuses me, but it’s not enough to undo the damage. “Why would you ask that? You didn’t send it?” My words are intentionally accusatory.
“Yes I did!” He replies defensively. “They said it would be delivered today.”
“To what address Matt? Not mine.” My tone is dry again. I don’t have the strength to fight.
There’s silence on the other end of the phone, and I can hear him typing or scrolling. “I took a picture of it before I mailed it. 401 Hop Trail Drive. It says it right here.” He repeats emphatically.
“It’s HOPE Trail, Matt, hope.” I sigh and drop my head onto the steering wheel.
There’s a literal pain in my chest as my heart breaks for our seven year old daughter who was anxiously waiting for her first birthday card from her estranged father.
But, it wasn’t coming.
He forgot a letter.
The trill of my alarm wakes me from my sleep. I slap my hand over my phone and mash the side button to silence the noise. Rather than look at the screen, I sit upright and swing my feet over the edge of the bed standing up.
I walk into the bathroom with my eyes practically still closed. It’s not until I snatch off my oversized night shirt and hear something hit the floor that I awaken completely.
I hurriedly turn on the bathroom light to inspect what had fallen, but as soon as the light illuminates the space, I’m too bewildered by my reflection to look on the floor.
My nose has been chipped away into something so narrow I sniff just to make sure it still works. My hair is jet black now, and hangs down to my…my…
I twist my torso from side to side. My eyes bulge. Ever since I was 13 years old, I’ve always been the “chubby” friend. Now I’m staring at myself in the mirror wondering where this 24 inch waistline came from. “Holy shit!” I yelp aloud as I continue turn my body in the mirror. I move as close to the mirror as the vanity will allow me to go. ‘Is this mine?’ I think to myself as I grip my firm bottom.
I look around startled, and for a split second I wonder if I’m in a surgical aftercare facility having just had a Brazilian Butt Lift and nose job. But that’s my shower curtain. Those are my dirty clothes from marching band practice on the floor.
The floor. I quickly toss my t-shirt aside and see that the crash I heard was a lavalier microphone. A body mic?
I pick up my t-shirt, and I stare at my perfectly proportioned body once more before pulling it on. Even though I look exactly like an obnoxious Kardashian, I smile at the fact I’m no longer the fat girl.
I rush to grab my phone. I have to call my best friend. When I unlock the screen, my phone is still on Instagram from the night before. “What the?” I say out loud again. I have 3.2 million followers.
“Kelsey,” someone who is obviously part of a film crew approaches me. “Why aren’t you mic’d?” He asked touching my back. “Uhh,” I stammer and point behind me. Before I can tell him the microphone is on the bathroom floor, two people are at my side. One fixes my hair, the other begins applying cold concealer under my eyes.
I close my eyes and let the pampering continue. I have no idea what’s going on, but what ever it is, I could get use to it.
Jason was first through the door. His aunt’s house was bustling with people as everyone moved about preparing the Thanksgiving meal. Even in all the chaos of mixing and basting, the feeling of being home was soothing to Jason. “Hi son!” Jason’s father extended his hand as Jason entered the den where the men sat watching the Dallas Cowboys. “Hey, what’s going on?” Jason sighed as he plopped onto the sofa. His dad handed him a beer before saying, “just trying to stay out of the way.” He gestured behind him to the women in the kitchen and he and Jason both laughed.
Jason leaned his head back on the sofa and nearly fell asleep instantly. He loved coming home and being around his father and other men in his family. Men were just a nice change of pace from emotional women—especially his woman. For the past three hours, Jason has been stuck in the car with his fiancé who relentlessly complained about everything from the AC being to cold, to what type of wine would be served this evening. So, the sound of Jim Nantz commentating was much more preferable.
“You couldn’t wait for me?” The feeling of a weighty sweater landing in Jason’s lap shook him awake. He blinked twice and focused his eyes on Gabby. “You said you were finishing your makeup.” Jason replied. “What does that have to do with you leaving me to come in by myself?” Gabby’s face contorted and she rolled her neck as she spoke. Jason drew in a deep breath, and bowed his head. Luckily, his father was no longer in the den. “I’m sorry I didn’t-“ Gabby threw her hand up. “Just forget it.” She spat.
“Hey,” a meek voice cooed behind Gabby and she whirled around. She looked down her nose at the frail lady and furrowed her brow. “Who are you?” Jason immediately stood and placed himself between the lady and Gabby. “This is my great aunt Deborah.” He tried to suppress his frustration at Gabby’s rude demeanor. “Oh,” Gabby stated dryly and extended her hand halfheartedly. “Oh I don’t shake hands. I like to hug.” Aunt Deborah advised. And seemed to be completely unmoved by Gabby’s vibe. Gabby coiled into herself, her smug look returning. “Well I don’t hug so,” she smiled with tight lips. “Nice to meet you.” Gabby brushed passed the 62 year old and walked into the kitchen leaving Jason embarrassed. Of all of his family members Aunt Deborah was the most harmless and the most patient. She didn’t deserve that.
When Gabby was no longer in ear shot, Aunt Deborah touched her frail hand to Jason’s bicep. “Are you two married yet?” Jason grinned and shook his head saying, “no ma’am.” His Aunt Deborah peered over her shoulder and then looked back at him. “Run while you can. She’s a bitch.”
“I don’t know Rod,” Ari hugged herself against the ocean breeze as she spoke. “I don’t wanna beg, and I just feel like at this point I’m begging.” Ari twisted her lips to one side and tried to suppress the lump in her throat, but the longer Rodrick stayed silent the more difficult that became. “Do you have anything to say?” Ari’s voice broke. Rodrick sat upright and dusted the sand from his palms. “What do you want me to say Ari?” His voice was dry and unmoved and Ari hugged her knees to her chest as the wind continued to blow.
“Well,” Ari sighed and stared out at the endless water. “I guess silence says more than anything else.” She could feel Rodrick staring at her profile, but she refused to look at him. Instead she let the breeze toss her hair behind her and continued speaking. “I know me, and I know I can’t walk away from this without saying how I feel. I love you too much for that. I definitely love Nick too much for that.” Ari kissed her teeth, frustrated that she couldn’t stand firm in her truth without crying. “I love you Rod.” She confessed through her tears. She paused, waiting for Rodrick’s response, but after a moment when nothing came, Ari stood and dusted off her thighs. “No matter what,” her voice was shaky as she twisted the engagement ring off her finger. “I love you, no matter what.” She whispered and dropped the ring in the sand beside Rodrick before walking away.
