The Beginning, Middle, but not the End

Day 6,148 (August 17th)

Callie has been gone for almost 10 days. She sent me a text a few days ago saying she sent me a letter. I haven't received anything yet. I think, depending on how busy the post office is, I should be receiving it anytime now.

Dad got back last night around 2 AM. I was asleep but I saw him around noon today when he went to get some food before going back to sleep. He's exhausted because he drove for a straight 18 hours with only a few 20-minute sleeping periods at truck stops. It's expected that he sleeps a lot of today.

"Jo? It's dinner!"

"Okay!" I shout in her general direction. I walk down stairs to the kitchen. Tonight's delicacy is mom's special meatloaf with a side of asparagus and mashed potatoes. Lately mom's been making my plate, so she knows I'm eating, but tonight I take it into my own hands. I can eat more now, but still not enough to pass off as a single, average, serving. I take thin slice of meatloaf, but not too thin. It's maybe about an inch thick. The mashed potatoes aren't the usual instant ones, instead they're home-mashed. They even have pieces of the skin still in it. I put two small spoonfuls of it on my plate along with four pieces of asparagus. The grease from the food kind of repulses me, but I know Mom and Dad won't be happy if I don't eat.

"You got something in the mail," Dad walks in and hands me an envelope. A muffled laugh escapes me when I see him. He's wearing a Christmas sweater and joggers. Usually he's dressed a little less casual than this, perhaps he's sick. Dad smiles, "Hey, I've got a fever. I'm feeling really cold right now and these are the warmest clothes I own."

I set the envelope down next to my plate. "Mhm," I return the expression and take a bite of the meatloaf. The flavor dances with my taste buds. Now that I'm eating more, I've realized how good food tastes. I think humanity kind of takes it for granted. We eat and eat and eat, yet we never really take in the process. It isn't until we are unable to eat for so long, that when we start to again, we have a whole new appreciation for food.

I set my fork down to examine the envelope. It's addressed to me, Jodie Sizemore. The return label says an address, but no name. I thought you had to put your name on the return label? Instead of dwelling on this, I tear open the seal. There's a piece of notebook paper and a smaller envelope inside. I unfold the paper and begin to read:

Jo!

How are you doing? I've officially been here for almost a week, and I just want to say that it's been so much fun. I've explored the campus a few times now with a tour guide and my roomie. Speaking of which, she's from England, and she's studying here to major in journalism. It's crazy how far she traveled, she apparently got a full ride here, but she has to keep it on the down-low. She's fun to talk to, but she can get a little nosey. That's to be expected though considering her major. I think you'd like her, she's really into photography too. Also, it's beautiful here. We're close to the beach too. It's only like a 20 or 30 minute drive depending on traffic. There's so many beautiful places here, the scenery is amazing.

I do miss home though. I miss hanging out with you, Cam, and your goofy friends. I hope I can visit soon, but at this rate it won't be until Thanksgiving. Regardless, I just want you to know that you haven't lost me, and you never will. You're stuck with me, whether you like it or not. We're sisters and you have to deal with it. We may go through some rough patches, but we'll work through it like we always have and always will. However, I'm not going to apologize about moving here. It was probably the best decision I've ever made, I just wish you were here with me. It's lonely sometimes, but I've been making friends. You'd get along with them pretty well, maybe you could meet them some day if you were to come down here and stay a while.