Last Chance

Chapter One

Ellie looked at the letter and smiled. It was finally time. Manny's letter had finally arrived. She waited till the sunset because that was her special sign. Every good thing that happened to her always happened at dusk. She opened the letter, pulling out the red paper. He always wrote on red paper. He said it was his signature color.

This was it. The last time she had received a letter was a month ago. Since then Ellie had patiently waited for the next one to arrive. Her heart racing to see the news the letter would bring.

"Here goes nothing," She whispered, taking a deep breath.

Dear Ellie,

It's been so long since we've seen each other so I've decided to come and visit. It's been too long. And I figured why not. I love your mom's signature soup! Maybe she can make that....

But if I'm being completely honest, that's not the only reason I want to see you. I thought about waiting to tell you in person. But you should know immediately.

I think I'm going to go to New York. My uncle has a job at a really good college over there and I think it will be a good opportunity for me. I want to broaden my horizons. Find new people. Not that you aren't great. You're the greatest friend a guy could ask for. I just feel like I'm missing something. I don't know what it is. But maybe this is how I'll find it. So yeah.... Tomorrow will probably be the last time I see you.

I hope everything has been going well for you. And I can't wait to hear about it!

Your dearest friend

Manny Harvest

Tears poured like a flood down her face. Blurring her sight. He was leaving... for New York. That was hours away. Not just hours. Days away. Not even that. New York was on the other side of the country. Her heart seemed to shatter into a million pieces. It was as if she could hear glass shattering. Nathan's calls for her to come home for dinner went through one ear and out the other. The whole world seemed to freeze as reality hit her.

All the feelings she had for him spilled. Like an overflowing cup. All the love and happiness she had for him poured away. Joining the creek that sang at her feet. The letter floats down, resting with the fall leaves.

"I never told him I..."

Her trance was broken by a tap on the shoulder. Nathan's stern look softened as he saw her tears. Without another word, he pulled her into a hug placing her head on his shoulder. Ellie hugged her brother more tears escaping. He did his best to comfort her. Not wanting to make her more upset. She did her best to calm down. Taking deep breaths to stop the tears.

"It's okay, I'm here. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to."

She looked up at him and gave her best smile as she said, "Manny is going to move to New York."

"Ellie...."

He hugged her tighter, knowing just how important Manny was to her. After another minute or two. They headed home. The forest around them seemed to stay silent to help Ellie deal with her sadness. Even the animals didn't make a sound. The birds didn't sing, the wind didn't blow, and the creek seemed to babble just a little less.

Their mother waited on the porch noticing Ellie's sadness immediately. She didn't say a word and stepped aside letting them in. They sat down and ate in silence. Ellie ate her food slowly. Trying not to think about Manny. But it was near impossible.

He loved this soup. Always explaining how the potatoes and carrots went perfectly together. Claiming no restaurant could beat such a glorious dish. He had learned how to make it just so when she came over he could make something she liked. All of the memories of them together at this table. Or hanging out in the dining room flooded back to her. His smile, his laugh. All the freckles decorated on his cheeks.

"So...how was everyone's day," Her mother asked.

"My day was fine," Nathan replied.

"How about you Ellie?"

Tears threatened to fall again. She took another breath. Her gaze not leaving the soup. The words struggling to leave her mouth. As she searched for the best way to tell her mother the news.

"Well....Manny's coming tomorrow. He's been wanting to see us so he decided to visit. But it'll probably be the last time we see him because....because he's moving to New York. For college...."

"That's terrible sweetie. Absolutely terrible. I'm so sorry."

Ellie just nodded. The silence plagued the table for the rest of dinner. Following her as she went to her room to read. Following her as she got ready for the night. Till she went to bed. The only thought that crossed her mind was that she had told Manny how she felt sooner. If only she hadn't been so scared. She couldn't tell him tomorrow. Not when he was going to decide his future. As the time got late, she watched as the moon slowly lit her room. Highlighting the hundreds of letters that Manny had sent over the years. About all his fun adventures at home. And what public school was like.

"If only I had been able to spend all that time with you..." She whispered. "If only I had lived in the city like him and we didn't have to spend so much time apart."

As all the possible scenarios danced through her head, she wondered if things would have been different if she had told him what her heart felt. Would he still be going to New York? Or would he have stayed here with her? Was this really the end of their friendship? Was there really no other chance?