Page 9 of Unveiled Wishes
Do you remember Christopher? You met him at a bar that Eric took you to the last time you were here. He’s been trying to schedule a get-together. I am not sure if it’s supposed to be a date, but I am not interested. He’s not even interested in me, and I keep sending him to voicemail. It’ll be easier to avoid him at school. We don’t have the same classes, and our social circlesare not the same. If he wanted to, he would, but he won’t. I am worth more than a half-assed effort.
Anyway, try to get Eric to get a picture of you when you get my surprise. He sends me pictures all the time, and you never do. How am I supposed to imagine what you look like now? I am teasing. Maybe. Maybe not. Get a picture.
Love, E
From the start, I fucked up, but like a dumbass, I thought a few letters would fix everything. They only intensified my cravings for her. She was my best friend’s little sister, and as soon as I saw “love,” I should have stopped this fantasy. I should have ghosted her, or at least written back to tell her to stop. Instead, I waited for the next one.
I tried not to think about her words, but the next day, the mailroom called and told me to pick up my package. I had often seen the packages that Emily sent How. She’d ask if he needed anything, and he’d make her a list. Em was an angel, and she’d often include things for me.
“Why do you want to send Em a picture of a box?” How asked.
“No, I want to send a picture of me holding the box,” I said. I hadn’t lied, but I hadn’t told him the truth, either. I wanted Em to see that I appreciated her, and that I had listened to her requests. However, a huge part of me wished she was mine, and this meant more than what was on the surface.
“Why?” How raised his eyebrow and looked down his nose at me. “She’s my sister. Why do you want to send her a picture of your ugly mug?”
“I just do. I want to say thank you. It’s my first care package from home. Can’t you just take the fucking picture?” I was getting aggravated at him. He sent her pictures, so why couldn’t I?
“Calm the fuck down. Is your underwear in a wad or something?” How grabbed the camera that we passed around the team. Someone’s wife had sent one, and when the film was low, we asked whomever was getting the next package for more film. I’d been in pictures, but I’d never asked for one to be taken before.
“Smile, asshole,” How said, holding up the camera.
I lifted my sleeve and ran it against my teeth, making sure I didn’t have any lunch particles stuck.
“Seriously? It’s just Em.”
“Okay, I am ready.” I shifted the box in front of me and smiled.
He took the picture and then pushed me to open the box. “I’ll take another picture of you looking inside. She’ll get a kick out of that.”
Putting the box on the ground, I slid my knife through the packing tape. I couldn’t help my excitement, and I could feel my smile still in place as I raised the flaps of the box to look inside. My smile slowly slid into a frown when I realized what she had done. Emily was too much, and I lowered my head over the box so that How wouldn’t see the tears I was desperately trying to hide. He still took my picture.
“I can’t send her that one. Take another one,” I said to him.
“Why not? It’s good. I’ll title it, ‘A Soldier and His Package.’”
“Look at this. She’s sent me all of my favorite snacks. Since it’s Valentine’s Day, they're heart-shaped. On this side of the box, she labeled stuff for the single men on our team, so that they would get something, too. How did she ever come from your parents?” I had meant that honestly. How was like a brother to me, but he didn’t hold a candle to his sister. She was a saint in a world of snakes.
“Probably the same way every other kid does. At some point, they had to have fucked.” He had handed me the two pictures. “Here, just send her these.” He walked off.
That night, I had sat down and written her.
Hey Em,
I received the box today. No one’s ever sent me anything like that. I passed out the rest of the treats to the single men. They wanted to write you to thank you, but I told them no. Actually, I told them I’d beat their asses if they even thought about it. They’d try to win you over to the dark side, and you should always be in the light.
I wanted to thank you for including them. Sometimes it’s rough when you don’t have anyone who gives a shit. You probably took pity on me when I asked you to write, but I am grateful. I made How take pictures. I don’t think they’re very good, but he said you would get a kick out of them. He would know better than I would.
You can hold me to my promise. I’ll take you on a tropical vacation. Where do you want to go? I don’t know if you know this, but I was born and raised in Indiana. I am well-aware that winter sucks. It’s like experiencing all four seasons in one day. That’s probably why I didn’t wait to be recruited. I was glad to get thefuckout. Sorry, I crossed that out. You shouldn’t see those kinds of words. You’re a lady.
I can’t send you anything, but I am hoping these work.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Emily.
Tyler
I had drawn heart-shaped balloons at the corners of the notebook paper and sent it to her.
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