The Only Two Tragedies In Life

The last and only preserved letter from Mika Spade to Rocco Spade

Author's Note: Thank you so much for following along with my story! I really enjoyed trying out this style of writing for the first time. And I hope you enjoyed reading it as much I loved writing it! I linked a song to this letter, so if you'd like to take a listen while reading (or just in general) go right ahead. Anyway, I hope you like it!

TW: There is a brief mention of suicide in this letter, although nothing happens I still want to err on the side of caution. So, if you're sensitive to this sort of thing, I'd advise you to start reading after the asterisk.

Dear Roo,

**I volunteered for the suicide mission. Nobody's expected to survive it, but they say that if we succeed the war could end sooner.** I don't know if I'll be able to send this to you myself, but anything I have seems to make its way to you. Tell Mama and Papa that I love them dearly, and I apologize for the long years of teenage angst. Let them know that I've missed them, and I'm happy with what I've contributed to keeping others safe. My life's been fulfilling. Now Roo, I know that you'd disapprove of me volunteering for something like this, but, as Papa used to say, life is all about having the freedom to choose. I'm so glad that you sent me that first letter. I will admit to having to get another soldier to teach me how to write some words. But these long 5 years would've stretched just that longer if you hadn't reached out in the middle of it. I enjoyed reading your complaints, and your stories. Your letters felt like a piece of home, and a constant stream of I love you, I love you, I love you. I hope my own letters provided you with a sense of comfort that made this war easier to cope with. When it's all over please don't stop caring for others in your own, spiky, way. The world's gonna need more healers in it for a while, yet. Take good care of yourself, as well as Mama and Papa. You're gonna need each other. I'm sorry that I'll be missing all the family dinners. I'm sorry that I won't be able to tease you for the way you hunch your shoulders. I'm sorry that I didn't hug you when I got the chance. I think I'm sorry for a lot of things, but that's not gonna change anything anytime soon. When my life, inevitably, flashes before my eyes, I think that you'll be in every shot. You were the biggest constant I had in my life, even when we didn't talk much. It's not like we needed words in the first place. Maybe that's why we've never said the dreaded four letter word. We never needed to, because little things were our ways of showing it. And the moment the only way to communicate is through words we jump around the topic.

I never did like leading,

Mimi

P.S. I hope you heard every I love you that I didn't say. 'Cause I know I heard yours.