Page 59 of We're At It Again

“Did you put Nugget in here?” I asked in disbelief. “I spent so long looking for him.”

He shrugged.

“Sorry.” He said without an ounce of sincerity. “I was mad at you the day before and wanted revenge.”

I punched his arm.

“I couldn’t sleep for a month without him, you jerk.”

He chuckled before continuing to sort through the contents, each memory filling the frosty night with warmth. There were friendship bracelets and a small dried-up flower his mom had given me one spring. We sifted through the box, our laughter echoed through the quiet park. Snowflakes fell around us, but the memories distracted us from the cold.

He stopped and reached for a letter with his name on it. Curiosity piqued; he opened it. My breath halted when I recognized the familiar handwriting. His mother. I watched as he skimmed through his letter with tears welling up in his eyes. His expression turned from confusion to pain.

“Hudson, what’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he stuffed the letter into his pocket and stood up. Without another word, he kicked the tree trunk beside him before running off. I called for him to return, but his footsteps faded into the night. I lost my opportunity to tell him how I felt.

?

My heart was pounding as I approached Hudson’s house. The winter night air was cold against my skin as I rubbed my hands together to generate some warmth. After a moment’s hesitation, I knocked. His dad answered, not surprised to see me.

“Maybe you can get him to talk.”

Making my way down the hallway, I saw his door partially open. I pushed it and found him face down on his bed, his shoulders shaking with sobs. The sight broke my heart. I attempted to be quiet, but one floorboard creaked under my weight. He turned his head and groaned.

“What do you want, Luna?”

I winced; never having thought I’d miss him calling me Snow.

“I wanted to check up on you.” I said, closing the door behind me.

“You can leave now.” He snapped. “I didn’t ask you to be here.”

I could hear the pain behind the words. It’s something he always did when he was upset. He tried pushing away the people wanting to help him.

“The last time I saw you like this, I left you,” I said. “I’m not doing it again.”

He scoffed before looking at me, his eyes red and filled with anguish.

“I don’t believe you. Everyone in my life seems to be a liar.”

“What are you talking about?”

He motioned to the letter at the end of the bed. The one he took from the memory box.

“Read it.”

My hands trembled as I picked it up. I unfolded it and saw the familiar handwriting.

My dearest Hudson,

When you mentioned the time capsule with Luna, I discreetly added this note. This letter will be a decade old when you open it, but my love for you is timeless.

I wish I could be there to watch you grow up, to see you graduate, and witness you becoming the incredible man I knew you would be. You have an outstanding role model in your father, and I have no doubts he will raise you to be the perfect gentleman. I know you must be upset reading this, figuring out I’d lied about my cancer timeline, but please know we never told you for a reason. You deserved a few carefree years without worrying.

I’m sorry I’m not there with you but know I am forever in your heart. You will forever be my precious boy.

Love you for eternity, Mom x

---