An Alaskan Midnight

Chapter 5

Several days had passed for Brett and Eddy. The two of them continued to fish, collecting as much as they possibly could for the winter. Most nights consisted of fish -- usually the filets before they got salted, fortunately. Eddy winced at the thought of the bitter, salty taste in his mouth. Because they didn't have a lot of time to cook in the morning -- and couldn't cook at all while traveling in the afternoon -- they had to eat the salted stuff, which was also dry and hard as a rock from the salt. No matter how much salt he brushed off, that taste still remained, saturated into the fish's flesh.

Eddy sighed as he sat on the couch, tying his boots. He missed Lucy. He had missed her since the day he left, but today he felt it more strongly than ever. "Hey Brett?" he asked as his research partner walked into the livingroom.

"What?" Brett asked. Eddy looked into Brett's eyes, nervous that he had offended him with such a casual question. Pretty much his whole stay consisted of the highs and lows of actually being able to please Brett, then making him upset. At the moment, he seemed tolerant of what Eddy what about to say, although not thrilled.

"Um... could we go to the post office?" Eddy stuttered. "I have a um... girlfriend, and I was hoping she wrote me." Looking at Brett's mood, he probably didn't want Eddy pouring out his woes about how they had to break up and stuff but were still secretly together. He just wanted the facts.

Brett sighed. "It's so far, I usually only do it once a month... but since we'll be needing to travel more for the research project fine I guess." He shivered. "We just can't use the car since we'll also be researching and don't want to scare the animals away. So it'll be kind of a cold long trip."
Happily Eddy bounced off the couch. "Thanks bro!"
Brett muttered under his breath, walking out to take care of the sled and huskies.

It seemed to take an eternity, but finally Brett had finished. They hopped onto the sled, off into the endless snowy hills.

Eddy saw a little blur move through the snow. He smiled, knowing it was an Alaskan hare. Several days of adjusting his vision to the snow helped him notice the tiny details.

Out in the distance (fortunately!), he saw a grizzly bear prowling. Clearly searching for the last bit of food before hibernating, like them. "Hey Brett, there's a grizzly!"
Brett took out his camera, stopping the sled. Quietly he approached the site of the bear, motioning for Eddy to stay. Eddy did so willingly. He was not in the mood for another wild animal chase this time.

Brett returned with a smile and more up-close footage. Eddy couldn't help but feel jealous -- Brett was really good with wildlife.

After Brett returned to the sled and called for the dogs to go, they continued riding along the snow. Gliding through the hills and frigid air for what seemed to be an eternity, they finally arrived at the post office. 

Quickly Eddy ran in ahead of Brett. The postman looked at him, puzzled. "Who is this?" he asked.

Brett burst in. "Sorry, he's my research partner."
"Oh!" the man laughed. Then he got the mail and handed it to Brett. "Here you go!"
"Thanks! See ya around!" Brett smiled and walked out, Eddy following awkwardly behind him. Small town for sure...

Brett put the mail in a bag on the sled. "Alright, let's get some stuff from the gas station." As he grabbed some flour and other food items, Eddy dug into the sac, searching for a letter from Lucy. Then he realized, there were several! Excitedly he tore the earliest dated one open.

Dear Eddy, it read. I miss you so much already! Fortunately I managed to get a job at the post office, so I'll be able to write you every day! It's been a little challenging here. My parents learned about what happened, and now they keep questioning my beliefs. I'm getting worried they'll find out about the letters. But anyways, I'm sure it will turn out alright! How have you been? Enjoying the snow?
Eddy laughed at the thought of enjoying it. Throughout his time, it had only been a curse for the two of them. And now it was threatening them with unstoppable blizzards for the next several months. Then he read the end.

Anyways, got to go now. Mom's calling me down to the kitchen, and I don't think I can write anymore in this letter without getting caught.

With love, Lucy.

Eddy tore into the second letter. And the third and fourth and fifth. They were all sweet notes, talking about how much she missed him and some fun happenings.

And then he opened the sixth one. He could see the ink was smudged, and dried tears stained the paper. Instantly Eddy knew something was wrong.

Eddy, the letter read. I am afraid I won't be able to write you anymore. The post office master discovered I was writing you and told my parents. They said that I can write one last letter to you, and you can write one letter to me. After that, it's over. I'll miss you incredibly, I wish I had the courage to just leave everything and fight for your beliefs like you have. I just can't do it.

I love you with all my heart!
Lucy

For a moment, Eddy just sat there, completely shocked. A hand touched his shoulder. Eddy jumped, completely surprised. He hadn't even heard Brett come up to him. At that moment, Eddy just couldn't process anything he saw or heard.

"You doing alright?" for a rare moment Brett wasn't harsh towards Eddy -- the greatest sign of compassion Eddy had ever seen in the man.

"It's fine, it's just... my girlfriend can't write to me anymore. Her parents let me write her one more time, and after that it's over."
Brett stood there awkwardly, clearly trying to formulate a response. Knowing it would only create more awkwardness to be silent, Eddy spoke up. "Maybe I could... write one more letter to her?"
Brett sighed. "It's just postage is so expensive up here!" Eddy had heard this complaint from him a million times. It made it hard to keep the research team updated because they could only write so many times.

Brett looked at end, pity in his eyes. "Alright fine. But we can only afford a postcard." After getting a prestamped postcard, he handed it to Eddy.

Eddy began to write.

I am incredibly sorry this had to happen to you because of me. I wish I could be there to comfort you. You are the most beautiful woman I know. You are patient, selfless, and sacrificial -- three qualities I wish I could have. Thank you for being an incredible friend, I truly appreciate you.

As Eddy handed the postcard to Brett, he frowned a little. This was the oddest postcard a person could ever write! Yet, it was all he could think of. 

The two of them rode the sled home in silence. Eddy stared down at his boots, still unable to process that his girlfriend couldn't even write him a letter once every other week. And it was all his fault.

By the time they arrived, the little sputters of snow gradually became a blizzard. Brett frowned. 

"We've done all that we can now. Now's the time to see if we're prepared, winter has come," he muttered.

Eddy felt chilled, but not just physically. Something told him life would never be the same again.