Jailbird || Stranger Things

seventy-five ➵ a handful of letters

welcome back, nerds ;)

1966

Dear Jim,

I hope this letter finds you. I'm sorry I haven't been writing. I wonder where exactly this letter will find you if it does. Will you write back?

I fear my time here is coming to an end. But before some things from my past catch up with me, I have to tell you something much more important.

As of August 26, 1966, you're a dad to a baby girl. I named her Teresa Una Sloane Hopper. Teresa for my dearest friend who was there for me when you were not able to, and Sloane for your grandmother. She's the first of her kind, where Una came from. And I wanted her to have your surname. But if you want to change that, I would understand.

I may have never stopped loving you, Jim, though you may find yourself in another's arms on your return. But I need you to know that you were always my person.

I fear I will not be here when you return. I must leave Hawkins. Indiana, to be honest, completely. But even if I am not here when you return, I will always be with you, in your thoughts and memories. As you will be forever burned into mine.

You're the best man I've ever had the pleasure to meet Jim. Take care of her.

All my love, forever and always,

Phoebe x

August 28, 1966
Hawkins, Indiana

1983

Dear Max,

It's really nice of you to want to visit. I don't think Neil would be okay with it, I don't think Billy would be okay with it either, to be honest, but if you can get Diane to bring you, that would be really nice.

I regret not having the time to say goodbye to you. It's one of the things I regret the most in recent years, and, trust me, I have a lot of things on that list. But you're at the top.

Max, I have a couple of confessions to make...

One, you've become like my little sister in the past few years. I truly love you like you are my sister, and honestly, I wouldn't change that for anything. You're a tough cookie, and I'm so proud to have had the stupid luck to move so close to you, and to even date your stupid step-brother. Just so that I can have you in my life. You're gonna go far. You're gonna kick so much ass when you grow up. God, I can't wait to see it.

Two. And this one's the shit one.

On her last visit, Diane said I will have to move back to Indiana. To my dad's. Well, actually, she sent me to New York to her sister's, but she smells like cough sweets and has like five cats and I don't really need that in my life right now. I guess she thinks she would keep me on the straight and narrow.

My dad's a policeman, last I heard, so I'm guessing he'll do a fine job.

When I manage to find him, and I have a good idea where I'm going, I'll write to you. Just to let you know I've arrived, that I'm safe. That I'm okay.

Diane said she'll pack my things for when I get out, so I'll only have to pack my clothes. It'll probably be a quick packing night and then setting off in my car.

I will write to you the moment I know the date. If you want, if you're able to safely, please visit. If you'd like. But I would understand if you don't want to.