Hi there,
Today, I wrote about how Hannah met Jeffery. I hope you enjoy.
A question I’d love to hear your answers:
When you think about wistful and comforting writers/books, who/what comes to mind? Thank you for reading and answering my question.
I send you fall dessert warmth.
Xiao-Yu
Letter No. 6
J,
My body is exhausted and it hurts. My left shoulder has given up, and my stomach is joining the party. Life is relentless. My neuroticism and melancholy is what I am sailing with. I want to jump ship and slip into your skin. It would be nice to be sturdy, calm and assured. I take it back. It is nicer to be me next to you.
I have some good news – Andrew is engaged. And a confession – I wanted to ask him out before I met you. That’s why I was at the party the night we met. I had chatted with Andrew briefly at the fall regatta. He seemed interesting. But, when you opened the door and smiled at me, my whole body paused. You stood there with your openness – your eyes kind; your body relaxed and trusting. You looked like a shepherd boy with your dark curly hair. And you reached out your left hand and introduced yourself.
“Hi, I am Jeffery.” You smiled again, with a sparkle in your eyes.
“Hi… Hannah.” I switched the bottle of wine to my right hand and reached out my left to shake yours. Your hand was warm and dry, like the fall dessert approaching sunset. I looked into your eyes and smiled back. I knew from that moment on, we would be good friends.
We proceeded talking and did not stop the whole night. We forgot there were other people in the room. The silent jury has left. We were ourselves. Your presence made conversing comfortable. My head was quiet. My tired and anxious body melted into relaxation. You told me what it was like growing up with a competitive and driven sister, your research, and what you love. I told you what it was like to move a lot as a child and to have little parental supervision growing up. I promised to show you some of the letters that I put in my Love Box. And you said you’d write me some. And I believed you.
That was a lovely late summer night. Neither of us wanted it to end. Thank God we exchanged numbers. It would be stupid not to.
Though life is relentless, I feel better after writing to you. A new month is starting…
I really miss you,
H
