Page 72 of A Very No Strings Halloween
“Read it out loud,” I tell her.
As if in support of what I just said, the light bulb stops flickering so she can.
She goes to stand under the light, opens the letter, and clears her throat.
“‘Lars, my love. There is so very much I want to say to you, and even if I had the strength to speak, there isn’t enough time to say it. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, and I was so sure we would fill this house with love and laughter and children and grow old together. You know how much I hate to be wrong, but I hate being wrong about this the most.
I was so foolish.
It was only two years ago that I met you, but I think of that girl you met as such a silly young thing.The fears I had. So scared of leaving the life I’d known, so frightened of giving my heart to you completely. I don’t regret one minute that I spent with you, but I wish I had said yes immediately. I wish I had only ever said yes to you and rushed into your arms and never let go.
I hope you forgive me for making you wait.
I’ll never forgive myself.
I miss you already, my love, and I’m so sorry for making you this sad. It’s the opposite of what I want for you. It’s the last thing I ever wanted for us.
But I still want this house to be filled with love and laughter and children, Lars.
I know it will be difficult for you and I don’t want to let you go, but please promise me.
One day, promise me you’ll find a good woman and fill this house with love and laughter and children.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
I loved you when my heart was strong, and I’ll love you until after it beats the final time.
Thank you for loving me.
Forever your scarlet spitfire,
Lara.’”
Donna is weeping when she puts down the letter. She folds the paper up and slides it inside her bra for safekeeping. I take her into myarms again, rub her back, give her time. When she sniffles and wipes her eyes and looks up at me, I can practically see the words she wants to say to me on her quivering lips. I can absolutely feel them waiting to come out of mine.
But we just stare at each other and don’t say anything. The light buzzes and then pops and the room goes dark. I’m starting to think the ghost or the house or whatever isn’t happy withus, specifically… The house shakes. I hear groaning and the cracking of wood.
“Donna, get down!” I yell and pull her away from the sound, in the direction of the dormer windows. Just as we fall to the ground, a giant fucking tree crashes through the roof. I cover Donna’s body with mine, shielding her from the debris.
When things finally stop crashing down around us, Donna cries out from under me. “Billy!”
“I’m fine! We have to get out of here!”
I stand up, coughing, and pull her up. I manage to open one of the windows. “We gotta climb out onto the roof—come on,” I yell through the rain that is now pouring into the attic. I climb out first and then grab hold of Donna’s hand and guide her out.
We steady ourselves, standing on the undamaged part of the roof. Both getting pelted by raindrops, looking around, my hand locked with hers. I’m not going to let her fall. But I don’t think there’s any wayfor us to get off this roof unless I call the fire department.
“How are we supposed to get down?” she asks.
I look around for a way out. There is none. And then it hits me. “Well, Donna…sometimes the only way down is through…”
She looks at me like I’m nuts. “Huh?!”
I carefully turn to face her and hold on to her shoulders. “What did the mirror say?”
