Page 20 of Signed With Love

“Yeah, I really like her too.” I look forward and watch as Alaska’s beauty sweeps out below us. There’s something about my best friend’s acceptance of the girl I’m going crazy about that keeps the smile on my face long after we land in Kodiak and start unloading.

Chapter Nine

Claire

I have another letter waiting for me in the mailbox when I get home after work. It’s been a couple weeks since my date with Jamison. We text daily, so I never expected to receive another letter from him. I shake my head. He’s crazy, but I’m so happy I have another one to add to my growing stack. There's something extra special about receiving one of his handwritten notes.

The moment I step into my apartment, I flick the light on and drop my laptop bag by the door. I make my way across the room and settle on my sofa. I flick the TV on and let the latest season of Supernatural play. I open Jamison’s letter, pounding excitement sweeping through me. I learn something new about him every day, and it’s becoming rather addicting. I’m already ready to take the trip up north again.

My phone vibrates, but rather than seeing what it is, I read.

???

Claire,

Oh, this has definitely come back on you, but I’m rather pleased with the turn of events. Although, I’m starting to run out of secrets. If we keep this up, I’ll have to start digging into the deep stuff.

I know my fear of spiders is strange, and I’ve never been bitten or anything, but have you ever seen Arachnophobia? Enough said. (I just cringed even thinking about it.)

Also, sidenote: I do have a mild obsession with movies from that decade. The nineties did everything right.

Storing that little fact about romance movies right along with dislike of bananas and your need to have pineapple on pizzas. Keep them coming, because I have another three weeks to plan our second date unless I sneak away from work and drive up sooner.

You don’t have to trust me to take you up yet, but one day I’m hoping I’ll be flying with you.

How are those ten-year-olds acting? Hope they aren’t giving you too much trouble this month.

If Alaska is where you want to be, then stay.

You shouldn’t have to give up anything you don’t want to give up. Live every moment of your life for yourself.

That’s what my mother always told me, and I’ve stuck pretty steady to her words of wisdom. We only have one life, so you have to live it without restraint.

Live it wild, in the moment, and do it for yourself.

Jamison

???

His words twist something inside me. I go from happiness and worry that he says we are dating to a deep level of sadness when he mentions his mother. I know they had to be close with the way he talks about her. I absorb his words one more time, but when my phone buzzes again, I set the letter aside and check my messages.

There are a few messages from my mom and a few from Jamison. With a sigh, I open hers first. She texted me hours before.

We need to video message. It’s about Dad. He had a heart attack.

My heart drops. Breathing becomes difficult. I immediately video call my mom from my computer. Her face appears on the screen moments later.

Is Dad okay? I sign, fast and with shaky hands.

He’s at the hospital. He’s okay, but I wanted you to know.

I’m coming up.

Mom shakes her head, but I disconnect the call. I’m not sure if she was finished, but we can discuss more when I get to Casper. I rush around my apartment to put a bag together. There’s little thought to my actions, my attention all focused on my father. I can’t lose someone I love again.

The bright strobe of my doorbell catches my attention. I don’t ever have visitors, and right now just isn’t the time for them. I don’t know what’s happened to Dad, but I have to get on the road and get up there. I probably should have let Mom finish, but he needs me and I have to see that he’s okay myself.

I pull the door open, and all the air leaves my lungs when I see Jamison standing there. I rush into his arms. I’m not sure if he’s here about Dad or because he missed me, but I needed him. He’s here to catch me because I’m falling apart.

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