Letter and Reply 17
Tuesday, November 4th and Wednesday, November 5th
Letter and Reply 17
Delivered at 2:14 pm, Tuesday, November 4th.
Dear Billy,
This letter you’ve sent has already made up for the lack of one on Saturday. I’ve already read it three times. No need to feel sorry about anything. I’m actually very sorry that you aren’t feeling well. I know what it means to get a case of lazy-disease; they’re very natural, you know. But head-colds! That’s a different matter entirely. I’d send over a warm bowl of soup if I didn’t think it would be cold by the time it reached you, (or spilled in Dom’s mailbag). Billy...now I want to be with you more than ever. Are you going to be all right? Shall I give Dom strict instructions on how to care for you, then?
I’m sure Dom had a wonderful time with the trick-or-treaters. Good to know that he was letting you rest, anyway. And have a bit of your candy. (I’m glad you enjoyed it, by the way. And forget what I said about savoring. People with head-colds should have as much candy as they want, you know. And a mug of hot cocoa). Thinking of you with one of those lolly pops is almost too sweet a picture, but I’m thinking it anyway.
I think I hand out too much candy. But I just can’t help myself, you know. When you see those kids’ bright, chocolate-smeared faces beaming up at you, you just can’t say no. And their pillow cases weren’t even half full! How could I deprive the poor things?
I didn’t dress up, however. I’m not altogether festive. Though my holiday was quite nice, and I was visited by a variety of ghouls, pumpkins, and princesses through the night, (some of which I supposed could have been a few of your students), who robbed me of nearly every ounce of sugar in the household. I wonder how their parents survived that night.
My poor Billy... This bloody weather is beginning to make me angry. I wish it wouldn’t make you feel ill. And if it must, it could at least – as you said – give us a bit of snow. Then there would be something pretty to look at while you lie in bed with your tissues, looking out the window. But I’d still rather have you well. Remember to drink some juice. And sleep as long as possible. Let Dom do everything around the house, you know.
Speaking of Dom... I’m pretty sure... In fact, I’m very sure that he’s made up his mind to stay in Lauderville. I hope that it doesn’t...inconvenience you. He said he was still too nervous to tell you. I keep telling him that you’ll understand, but he has this thing about asking favors of people he cares about, especially after they’ve done so much for him already, as you have. But he does want to stay. If he brings it up, try to just assure him a little bit. He’s feeling guilty about family and everything…not going back home. He just said that he’s found his element here, and he doesn’t know what else to do about it. I really hope he’ll tell you about all of this soon. Then he can stay and be your doctor while you’re sick. And be with you all the time, keeping an eye on you. Who knows what sorts of trouble you’d get into if he were to leave!
Oh, I want to take a blanket and tuck it around us both, so I can hold you and keep the two of us warm. Hold that thought, okay, Billy? I hope it’s still cold out when I reveal myself to you. Then I’ll still have the chance for all of these cozy things to come true.
I could definitely feel you haunting me that night. As well as the night after, and after. And last night. I’m already beginning to feel it tonight. You’re here right with me. In the beginning of this letter I was cradling you close. Toward the middle I was laying you down in bed. About now, I’m giving you a goodnight kiss. (That is, if you’re reading this toward evening. If it’s the afternoon for you now, then I’m still kissing you, just not in bed. Or perhaps… Well… wherever you want to be kissed). Yes, I am keeping quite warm now. Just the thought of you makes me very warm. I hope the same for you, though I also hope your head is keeping cool.
Get well soon, sweetheart. I’ll miss you until tomorrows post. Then I’ll miss you again. But I promise there will be a day when I won’t have to miss you anymore.
Always,
MS
Delivered at 5:48 pm, Wednesday, November 5th
Dear MS,
I'm glad that the letter somewhat made up for my absence, but really, I feel awful for not having sent one this weekend. And, truth be told, I'm not sure how many you're going to be receiving for awhile. I'm feeling pretty rotten, so I think I'm going to take at least tomorrow off. If I feel at all up to it I'll write you a little something, but if I don't, I'm truly sorry. I'll make up for it when I'm well again.
Dom's proving to be invaluable around the house. Did you give him a hard time? He's really been a huge help for when I just don't feel up to it. I'm beginning to feel like an invalid, but it's very sweet of him. He hasn't said anything to me about staying yet. Maybe he's being nice so he can 'break it to me,' if what you say is true and he's worried about being a burden. I wish I could make him understand that I'd like to have him here for as long as he wishes to stay, be that three weeks or three years.
It had better still be cold when you reveal yourself to me! I can't imagine that you'd make me wait until the spring, would you?
But you are keeping me warm! Every evening when I settle down with you letter I'm warm all over. Doesn't even matter whether I'm sitting by the fire or not. Just the idea that somewhere you're thinking of me is enough.
But someday we'll be able to keep each other really warm, yes? I live for that day.
Warmed by you,
Billy
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