What Defines Us?

The Letter

The Letter

I wake up alone, again.

I get out of bed and make my way downstairs, wondering where Brooke is.

"Brooke?" I yell.

"In here!" I hear her respond.

It sounds like her voice is coming from the kitchen, so that's where I head.

"Are you cooking again?" I ask.

"Nope. I just ate a bowl of cereal." She stats.

"Alright, so I've been thinking." I say.

"About what?" She asks.

"We need to clean out my parents room." I answer.

She looks at me unsure.

"I'll be fine. Let's go." I say.

We start walking towards my parents room. When we get right outside the door, Brooke leans up and kisses me.

"I love you." She says as she pulls away.

I smile and open the door.

"Let's clean out their closet first. That's where they kept all the stuff I made." I say sadly.

Brooke walks over to the closet door and opens it. She tries to reach the boxes in the top of the closet but she's too short.

"Here babe, let me help you with that." I say, trying not to laugh.

I reach up and grab a box for her and a box for myself. As I open my box, I realize it's full of baby pictures.

'Great.' I think to myself.

I look over at Brooke and realize she's about to cry.

"What's wrong Brooke?" I ask.

"Your mom wrote a letter. She was gonna give it to you when you left for college." She states.

"Read it to me." I say.

"Dear Callie,

I don't even know how to start this letter. I'll start off by saying that I am very proud of the young woman you've become. You're never afraid to speak your mind, you stand up for what you believe in, you are a wonderful person. Your father and I are both very proud of you. Next, college is going to be tough, but you're very smart and you'll do well. I have faith in you. I really cannot believe that you're leaving for college. It seems like just yesterday I was changing your diapers, and now you're all grown up and leaving for college. I hope I never pressured you to be like your brother. I want you to be your own person. I don't want you to be like Axel. I'm so glad I have you as a daughter.

Now, I know you never came out to me, but I know you're bisexual. And I swear, if you and Brooke don't get together soon, I'll go crazy. You two are so perfect for each other. I totally support you.

Your father is supposed to write you a letter too. He probably won't though. Your father never listens to a word a say, but he loves me unconditionally. That's the kind of love you need to find (again I'm referring to Brooke). Anyways, always remember one thing, I love you so very much Alisson Callie Peters. Never forget that. I'm very proud of you. I love you!

Love, Mama." She reads.

"Wow." I say.

"I didn't know you had a brother." She states.

"That's because he decided he didn't want a sister. So he refused to acknowledge my existence." I explain.

"That's awful. Where does he live?" She asks.

"In town." I say.

"You need to tell him about your parents." She tells me.

I pick up my cell phone and dial his number. It rings for a few minutes and then he answers.

"Hello?" He says.

"Hey Axel. It's your sister Callie. Please don't hang up the phone." I beg.

"Alright. Talk." He says.

"Mom and dad are dead." I state.

"Wait... What?" He asks.

"They're dead. They were in Afghanistan and there was a bombing." I say.

"Are you serious?" He asks.

"Yes." I say.

"I'll be right over." He states, then he hangs up.

"What did he say?" Brooke asks.

"He's coming over." I say.

We head into the living room and wait for Axel to arrive.