Hometown Hero

Epilogue: Words

Walking back from work, the cool October air almost carried me away. I took a deep breath, feeling the chill in my lungs; summer was officially over.

I made my way tentatively back inside, I saw a pile of mail as soon as I walked in. No one was here, and my itch for a letter was going to drive me crazy.

It had been almost two and a half weeks since I'd heard from Indie. It wasn't as bad as I'd thought, at least not at first; waiting for a letter, going through my day with distractions, and only occasionally thinking about what he was doing. Checking my phone became less frequent, and I liked the idea that emergencies were the only reason anyone from his world would try to contact me. That is, with the exception of AJ. I expected calls from her every few days, filling me in on the bare minimum of tour and what the boys were planning to do next; she kindly kept it short, just so I would have more to hear about from Indie's letters.

Sifting through the mail, I found it.

Independence Adams.

San Diego, California.

Tearing open the envelope, my eyes glued to each carefully written word in his familiar print.

My beautiful angel,

I miss you more than words can describe. Not hearing your voice may have been the worst decision I'd made for us. But writing to you seems to suit me in a different way, I've noticed. It's become easier to find the right thing to say, instead of stumbling through sentences the way I would on the phone.

Also, I think I'm getting an endorphine high from the anticipation of new mail. Just in case, I've sent you the addresses of the next three places we'll be, if you need to check the itenerary for shows and venues, in case you lost the one I sent you. AJ has a copy as well.

I miss No. I can't keep telling you the same things over and over, can I? You know I miss you. You know how badly I wish you were here, that I'm writing this letter in the middle of the night because I can't sleep, and I keep waking up from the dreams of you that are playing on a loop in my mind. Is it like this for you? Was that how it felt that night we went to the hospital? God, I hope not.

Lexy came out to a show last week with AJ, and I swear, she's grown at least three more inches. She's running now, can you believe that? Well, running as fast as her feet will let her. She'll chase after me, and it's the cutest thing I've ever seen. That girl just makes my day so much better.

Speaking of Lexy, I need to tell you something. I don't want you to worry, because it hasn't changed anything, and we're all going to be fine. I just know that as soon as I tell you, you're going to want to get on the nearest plane to New York and come find me. Please don't freak out on me.

Erin sent a letter to Joel about a week ago. It's starting, and I know what she's after. I won't tell you what she said, but I want you to know that things are about to change.

Don't worry about me, or Lexy. AJ should be back at school any day now, and it will all work itself out. I love you, and I can't wait to see you. Seven more weeks until tour ends, and we'll find our ways back to each other.

I love you, Dawson.

Yours, Indie

 I stared at the last two paragraphs, wondering how Indie could be so calm. We both knew his world was imploding, and he was telling me not to worry.

Erin wanted Lexy. That's what he was trying to tell me all along.