One Hundred Letters for James

017

017:

Engagement

Do you remember Eliane? You probably should, you despised her. She was my only other friend, next to you. Whenever you were with your guy friends, I hung out with her. You didn't like that. You wanted to be my only option.

Then, just a month after we graduated, she got engaged to her long term boyfriend Ricky. She moved with him all the way to America.

I was startled. She was already engaged, and I hadn't had a serious boyfriend since Grade Eleven. I was scared, too, of growing up, and leaving behind my childhood.

"Wow. That's crazy." You had said when I told you the news. "Do you think she'll remember us?"

"I hope so." I had replied.

"Kathleen," You started. "Will you remember me? Once you've started your life, and moved away?" You looked down at me with your big chocolate brown eyes, with your mouth slightly turned down.

"Of course! We're gonna stay in touch, James. We can stay friends forever. Right?"

"Yea."

The next day, you gave me a little rope bracelet, saying that if I always kept it on, I would never forget you. It was beautiful, with leather at the ends that were connected with a snap.

"Thank you." I said, wrapping you in a big hug. And I still wear the bracelet to this day.

Maybe I'm not scared of engagement, but I'm certainly afraid of change.