Chapter 6. Distance

June 2006

Dearest Genesis,

To Genesis,

Gene,

How dare you leave me without saying anything?! What went through your head? I can’t believe you’d do that!

Grr! I’m so mad that I can’t write this properly without shaking! ! ! ! How could you?!

. . . .

I’m taking a deep breath, just in case you didn’t notice.

. . . .

. . . .

Okay, I’m calmer now.

. . . .

Boy and Girl said to forgive their other momma.

. . . .

Should I?

June 2006

Gene,

I received your letter yesterday. To answer your question, no, I’m not mad anymore. I’m smiling now, see? :)

. . . .

Okay, you caught me. I’m still bitter about the move. Everything is so different when you’re not around. The ice cream doesn’t taste as sweet. The sky isn’t as blue. My bed feels so empty. Plus a million other things.

When are you coming home, Gene?

July 2006

Dear Gene,

I’m being a good parent by telling you that Boy and Girl are sick. They caught the flu yesterday.

:’(

Dad wouldn’t get me out of bed, so I’m here writing you a letter instead. Wait, did I say me? I meant the puppets. The puppets are in bed, taking a rest.

. . . .

I wish you’re here beside me. I’ll hold on to your promises and wait until you get home. Until then, I better get some decent sleep. You’ll kick my butt if I don’t get well, right?

September 2006

Genesis! ! !

First day of school sucked so much. Wah!

I got Mr. Williams as my English teacher. The guy is a terror, I tell you. Spencer said he’d rather have root canal than listen to Williams one more second.

The cafeteria went from bad to worse too. The hotdogs they served yesterday looked like fingers. (Imagine soggy and purplish.) Insert puke face here.

. . . .

Enough about me. How was your first day?

December 2006

Merry Christmas Gene!

Falalalala lalalala!!!

Enjoyed my singing? There’s more where that came from. Hahahaha.

Anyway, the twins urged me to go caroling this year. By “urged,” I meant they dragged me after school with maracas and such to go door to door. I thought I’d die when Spencer sneezed in the middle of Silent Night, but other than that, I had fun. We should do it together when you get back.

P.S. Thanks for the bracelet. I’ll wear it every day.

P.P.S Boy and Girl are happy with their matching fedora hats. They said, “Thank you, momma!”

Dad loved his new chisel too.

P.P.P.S (Is that even allowed?) – I sent your gift with this letter. I hope you like the CD. The twins helped me burn the songs for you, so now they’re calling it the Destiny Jones’ playlist. (I also have copy. Let’s both listen to it at night.)

March 2007

Genesis,

I have some good news.

Wait for it.

. . . .

Dad got me a computer! Yay!

(Pops champagne!)

(Puts champagne down because we’re underage.)

(Silently walks away.)

. . . .

Anyhow, my email is DestinysNotAChild@yahoo.com Email me.

March 2007

Gene,

This email thingy is fantastic! There are so many emoticons that represents us.

0:-) That’s you because you’re an angel.

]:- That’s devil Spencer.

8-) Ester, even though she doesn’t have glasses.

T_T Me crying until you get home.

June 2007

Genesis,

I got the birthday present. Thanks so much.

. . . .

I have a question though. When are you coming home? It’s been a year.

November 2007

Trick or Treat, Genesis!

Let me zuck yo vlood. Vlahahahah!

As you can see from the pictures I attached, I’m dressing up as Count Dracula this year. Not too shabby, right? I didn’t really want to, but the twins insisted. You know how they are.

P.S. Send me more pictures, please. Why are you so picky with the photos you give me? I have so few of them.

February 2008

Are you for real, Gene?

Is Mr. Morgan really planning to run for Governor this year?

God, I have so many questions. You have no idea.

Should I tell dad about this, or is it supposed to be a secret?

March 2008

I’m sorry for losing my cool last night, Gene. I know it’s not your fault that your dad’s running. It’s not your fault that you had to move either. But what will happen to us?

April 2008

I kinda, sorta devised a plan, Gene.

Here it goes.

Your dad is running for the elections, right? If he loses, tell him that your family needs to go back to Bear Creek as soon as possible. Why? Because losing is embarrassing. People know his face. He’ll be branded as the state loser.

But what if he wins?

Grins.

If he wins, tell him to send you back to Bear Creek for safety reasons. Dad said politics is dirty. There are constant threats to the family members. Since Bear Creek is a peaceful place, Mr. Morgan will be assured that you’ll be far from harm, productive, and happy.

May 2008

Gene,

Did you tell Mr. Morgan about the plan yet? I hope you did. Spencer said it’s a brilliant idea.

It’s almost summer, by the way. I can’t wait to ditch the books, hit the Ruins, and just sit back and relax.

June 2008

Genesis,

I forgive you for greeting me late on my birthday. It’s not like I was waiting or anything.

T_T

Really, I understand. We’re both busy.

You don’t have time to chat like we used to. I can’t call you either. Goes with the territory of being Mr. Morgan’s daughter, right?

. . . .

. . . .

I wish he wasn’t pushing you that hard though. I know keeping face is important for someone who has big plans, but having you take a lot of school-related activities is a bit too much. You don’t even enjoy them.

September 2008

Your dad’s face is all over Bear Creek, Gene. This morning when I went to school, there’s a poster of him on the bulletin board. It’s not like every student will get to vote for him, but it’s nice that the school is supporting.

Edit: Spencer drew a mustache on a poster when no one was looking.

Edit 2: Ester slapped his hand, don’t worry.

Edit 3: Seeing Mr. Morgan always reminds me of you. Talk to him already. The election is 2 months from now. He needs to know our plans.

November 2008

I’m so nervous for tomorrow’s election. I’m going to sleep early, Gene.

December 2008

Oh. My. God. I can’t believe your dad actually won. It’s the talk of Bear Creek. I don’t know how to feel about this, Gene.

January 2009

Hey Genesis!

What a whirlwind year for 2008, huh? We turned sixteen, Spencer outgrew me, Ester’s braces got removed. What else? I honestly thought the dentist forgot about Ester though. Six years is a long time for braces, isn’t it?

But look at me blabbering. I should have greeted you Happy New Year first. So HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Listen, I know you’ve been busy with the whole election thing, which is why you probably greeted me late for Christmas, but I understand. I’m cool like that. Shrugs.

Also, I’m willing to pretend it didn’t happen if you send me more pictures. I mean, when was the last time you sent me pictures anyway? I really want a new one from you.

March 2009

Hey Gene,

Is something wrong? You haven’t emailed me in a while. I think it’s been more than a month. We’re really getting worried about you, so if you have time, give me a message. Xoxo

April 2009

Spencer’s the biggest jerk ever. Do you know that?

Well you probably do, but here’s what happened anyway. We were talking in the cafeteria when he told me that I was an idiot. And I said, why am I an idiot when my grades are technically higher than his? Technically. Then he told me that I’m an idiot for talking to a person who hasn’t been responding for months. One thing lead to another, I poured juice on his head, and now we’re not talking.

Isn’t he a jerk? He shouldn’t have said those things, right Gene? I know you’re just busy.

May 2009

I finally created a Social Media account. Yay me!

Anyway, I was trying to find your name, but nothing’s coming up. No picture. No nickname. Zilch. I did find your sister’s profile though. Was her face always that white?

. . . .

Never mind.

Going back to Gaby, I messaged her to ask how you’ve been. I didn’t think she’d reply, but then she said that you’re doing good. She also said that you have a computer in your room, and Mr. Morgan is busy to check on you anyway.

So, uhm. . . I was just wondering. Why don’t you talk to me anymore?

June 2009

Hello Summer!

July 2009

My birthday was last month. I guess you forgot to greet me.

August 2009

Gene?

September 2009

Did I do something wrong? Tell me if I did, Gene. Email me. Send me a letter or something. Give me a sign that you’re still alive. Please, I be—

The laptop slammed shut.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Ester said.

I swiveled my chair and frowned. The hand on top of my laptop belonged to her. “What’s your problem?” I said. She’d come inside my room unannounced. She didn’t even knock. “I’m still in my pajamas.”

She clucked her tongue and shook her head. Afterwards, she turned to the window and parted the curtains open. “It’s afternoon,” she scolded.

I grabbed a book from the desk and covered myself. The sunlight burned. “Shut it,” I hissed. “Shut it before I turn to dust.”

“No, you won’t.”

“Yes, I will. Haven’t you watched the movies?”

She crossed her arms. “You’re not a vampire, Des. But the way you’re holing yourself in here, you might as well be one.”

I placed the book on my lap and leaned to the window. The curtains were closed with one smooth move from me. Better. Much better.

“Not to be a prick.” I turned to her. “But can you leave now? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“What? Messaging Genesis again?”

“Exactly.”

Ester’s face turned sour. “Your obsession with her is getting unhealthy. That’s the main reason why I came here.”

Obsession? Woah. Just wait a minute.

“Isn’t that a bit too harsh coming from you?” I said. “You know that Genesis is my best friend. It’s natural that I get worried about her.”

“You haven’t left your room for days,” Ester argued.

“So? I like it here.”

She leaned to the window again and yanked the curtains open. The second glare was harsher. More shocking. I slid beside my chair on the floor, trying to cover myself.

Ester gestured around the room. “Is this what you call natural?” She pointed to the dirty pile of clothes on the corner, the unmade bed, the overfilled closet, and the stinky trash bin. “It’s filthy in here. What have you been doing to yourself?”

“Nothing,” I said.

She looked disappointed as she shook her head. She’d been doing it a lot lately. “Enough is enough. Spencer and I are intervening.”

At the mention of her twin, Spencer poked his head in the room and waved. “Hi,” he said.

I turned to Ester again. “You’re getting exaggerated,” I complained. “It’s not like what I’m doing is wrong.”

She glanced at her brother and nodded. When she looked back at me, her expression has softened. “Look, Des. We know that. . . We know that it’s been hard without Genesis.”

I rolled my eyes. “No shit.”

Ester pretended not to hear that and continued. “But it’s been three years. She’s not even talking to you anymore.” She put a hand on my shoulder. “I think it’s time to accept the fact that you two grew apart.”

My heart was beating so loud, I thought I wouldn’t hear my own voice. “Get out,” I murmured.

She looked like she’d been slapped. “Destiny Jones, you take that back.”

Water blurred my eyes as I glared at her. She had no right.

“Get out!” I yelled.

Spencer rushed inside and grabbed Ester’s arm. “Come on,” he insisted. “Leave Destiny alone. She needs time to process this.”

Ester freed herself by yanking her arm away. “Genesis was our friend too,” she said. “Do you think it was easy for us when she moved? Do you think it was easy for us to see you lose yourself every day?” Her lower lip trembled. “Don’t you get it, Des? She took a part of you when she left. Either you accept it and move on, or keep searching for something you’ll never get back.” She turned to the door and marched away.

September 2009

Dearest Gene,

Three years ago, you told me how much you hated change. You told me it pulls people apart. You told me it does a lot of things. I’ve been thinking about it since the day you left. I’ve been thinking about a lot of things.

Today, I have to make an important decision. A choice I didn’t think I have to make.

. . . .

. . . .

I’m sorry, Gene. This might be the last message I send you.

I’m not breaking my promises. It’s just that sometimes we have to sacrifice what we want to make other people happy. I haven’t been doing that in a while.

If there’s one thing I can guarantee, I’ll always be here waiting for you. Should you come back anytime, you’ll find me with a ready smile and open arms.

Until then, I’ll bury our friendship in the Ruins we loved, right under the grass where we used to sleep on. Our memories will be safe. I’ll guard it with my life. Until then, Gene, I’ll pretend to be at ease, even when the only time I can truly be myself is when I’m with you.

Yours always,

Destiny