Second Life: A Second Chance

Doucet (II)

I continue holding the letter Mr. Anderson gave me in my right hand, grasping it tightly. I turn and look back at him while I exit his classroom, smiling back at his nicely trimmed bearded face, waving goodbye all the while. As I exit, I notice the shift in the skies. Night has fallen quickly it seems. I shove the letter immediately down my pants before walk silently as I possibly can down the ramp, making my way across the stilt held classrooms soon after, antsy to avoid the sight of any male possibly walking around the buildings, fearing the sight of a male teacher catching me leaving Mr. Anderson's classroom so late. Once out of the stilted classrooms and gates that surround it, I approach the grass sprinkled dirt path leading from the gated compound to the Kurakaine homes on the other side of the valley.

Upon reaching and opening the door of the house, a loud yell greets my late entrance. 

"WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU, YOU INSOLENT PIECE OF SHIT?!" yells Fathe. 

"I fell asleep along the way Fathe. I'm so sorry, it will never happen again." 

Upon my apology, he walks up to the table a few feet away and rips one of the legs off the table with his bare hands. Now holding it firmly, he slaps my back with the rough side of the ripped leg, with enough of a force to shove me across the floor. Its harsh blow to my back immediately serves as a reminder to never infuriate the man whom I call Fathe. Even with the reminder, the pain does nothing to shake me, not this time. The pain will not and has not broken me. Instead, upon receiving the blow, I feel a different energy come out of me, one of invincibility, one of strength, pleasure even. 

"NEVER DO THAT AGAIN CAEMANOR, THIS IS YOUR LAST AND ONLY WARNING." 

However, as the thrill-like feeling fades, a new one comes in, not of any pleasure or pain, only mere reaction. 

"I am sorry Fathe, I will never do it again," I assure him, holding back a tear as I do so. 

"You better not, you owe this house another cleaning," he hisses at me. 

He, with the stick in hand, shoves it back on the table as if it was never removed, followed by an advance where I forcibly hug him. At first, I attempt to repel his assault, but I eventually succumb to the pressure of his emotional need. His odor reeks of pungent sweat and rotten dirt but I have to withstand it. I want to vomit on him before punching his stupid face while I hug him. The sick man is not deserving of even a single hug from me. Fortunately, he lets go of his coil like hold on me before ordering me to my room. While I walk up the stairs, I catch him whispering about me and how I am such a disappointment to him. 

"What an insolent fuck. I taught him to obey me, not fight me or disobey me. What a stupid shit of a son I have."

I enter the door and rush to the bed, jumping before sitting on the covers with the letter in hand, now no longer hidden in my pants. I reopen the letter and reveal its contents with ease, placing it all on top of the bed pillow, ready to be read. I glance at it once before rereading the contents of the letter. The letter reads:

My Dear Brave Vitaly, (56)

It is going to be all right, do not cry little butterfly. Whatever happens to you today, tomorrow, or in the future, know this: the fact that you are still you will never change how much I love you. You are strong and tough as a rock. You give me life and breathe it onto my soul.

The love I have for you will never change as long as you make me whole. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me regardless of any fact, don't you forget that. I love you with all my heart and I hope you remember me for years to come, even from a deathbed. I will never forget you, even in my dreams, where you are the star of my perfect life and I expect you to do the same. Remember, that on any occasion, whether good or bad, we will stay united and tackle anything that confronts us. I am yours and you are mine whether or not death due us part. Never forget the fire that is existent and alive within you and I: a fire that not even the coldest frost can extinguish. You and I burn brightest in the cold where even the tiniest shred of fire cannot possibly burn. I am the fuel to your fire and you are mine. You are the essence of my life and I am your essence to your life.

Where only if and only if, you happen to feel weak or defeated, remember that you are a little butterfly that nips and replenishes the bud of my soul, so you mustn't ever cry for me, no matter how painful the chill. Remember that the sun always shines bright whenever you are around, whether it be in my thoughts or in my prayers. You are mine and I am yours, so no need to cry. Let my permanent love for you act as a lullaby. Think of me when you are hurt. Think of me when you are healed. Think of me when you are happy as will I.

You make me whole, and that is an accomplishment on its own. Your love for me is enough to fill entire worlds over. The universe will be our canvass of love and no space will ever be filled when we are together as we transcend space and even time. You, and only you, are stronger with or without me, even if you doubt the strength of your little wings. You are the best partner a man can ever ask for and I will never let you go. Spread your wings and fly with me. Let us fly and sing the melody of love. Let us have nothing separate us apart and always remain together. I will always love you Vitaly, forever until forever ends.

Yours truly,

A.A.