Love Letters From Ladybug Farm - Donna Ball [66]
She slipped her hand into his, and they left.
May 21, 2008
My dearest love,
I don’t know how many more letters I’ll be able to write to you, and I have so much more I wanted to say. The problem is that the things I want to say can’t be said in a letter. I want so much for you, and I’m so sorry I can’t tell you in person.
I want your life to be filled with color.
I want you to laugh every day.
I want you to know what you want, and to learn how to earn it.
I want you to be unafraid.
I want you to remember me, but I know you won’t.
I will never, ever forget you.
And I love you.
11
A Small Affair
TO: SMarcello319@mico.net
FROM: LadiLori27@locomail.com
SUBJECT: Change of Plans
Dear Sergio,
I just wanted to tell you I won’t be taking the internship after all. I did something stupid and ended up with my leg in a cast, and I won’t even be able to finish my last week of school, much less my final exams, so I’m out of the running. Anyway, thanks for all you’ve done. I’m really sorry—
Lori
TO: LadiLori27@locomail.com
FROM: SMarcello319@mico.net
SUBJECT: RE: Change of Plans
Lori, bellissima!
I am beyond consolation that you are broken! Are you in pain? Tell me what happened. Will you Skype with me? If I could fly with wings, I would be by your side before this e-mail reaches you—
Sergio
TO: SMarcello319@mico.net
FROM: LadiLori27@locomail.com
SUBJECT: RE: RE: Change of Plans
Sergio—
You’re very sweet, but I can’t Skype with you. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. Just disappointed. Thanks for being my friend. I guess you’d better get back to your life though, and I’ll get back to mine.
Lori
TO: LadiLori27@locomail.com
FROM: SMarcello319@mico.net
SUBJECT: RE: Change of Plans
Lori, dearest heart—
What have I done? Why are you so cold to me? You are more than my friend. I can’t bear the thought of not talking to you every day, even if we talk only through machine. Why are you cruel?
My heart is in pieces—
Sergio
TO: LadiLori27@locomail.com
FROM: SMarcello319@mico.net
SUBJECT: RE: Change of Plans
Lori—
Now I am anxious. I write and you don’t answer. Do you know how this hurts me? Please tell me you are not dead. I cannot bear this worry.
Sergio
TO: SMarcello319@mico.net
FROM: LadiLori27@locomail.com
SUBJECT: RE: RE: Change of Plans
Dear Sergio,
Please forget about me. I’m not dead.
Lori
TO: LadiLori27@locomail.com
FROM: SMarcello319@mico.net
SUBJECT: RE: Change of Plans
Dear Lori—
Why must you be so certain of bad things? Why must you cut me from your life? I can make you smile. I can make your days go faster while you get better. I would be in the room with you if I could but if you will only let me, I will be still in your heart. You are always in mine. Do not do this unkind thing. I am now and always your friend—
Sergio
TO: LadiLori27@locomail.com
FROM: SMarcello319@mico.net
SUBJECT: RE: Change of Plans
Lori? I wait for you—
Sergio
TO: LadiLori27@locomail.com
FROM: SMarcello319@mico.net
SUBJECT: RE: Change of Plans
Still I am waiting—
S
TO: LadiLori27@locomail.com
FROM: SMarcello319@mico.net
SUBJECT: RE: Change of Plans
I will wait forever—
S
There was a light tap on Lori’s door and she closed the computer screen, quickly swiping away a tear with the heel of her hand as she called, “Come in.”
It was early for visitors, and she expected her mom or dad—even though neither one of them ever knocked. At first she didn’t recognize the curly-haired young man who hesitantly poked his head inside the door. “Hi,” he said. “Is it okay?” He looked around uneasily. “I mean, you never know what you’re going to walk in on in a hospital.”
“Come in,” she repeated. “No dead bodies, and I’ve got all my clothes on.”
He smiled as he took note of her pink Hello Kitty sleepshirt and