Fourth Grade Pen-Pals

Chapter Eight /Sean/

Dear Vanessa,

I think we should stop writing to each other. Don't worry- you didn't do anything, I've just got a lot going on right now. But thanks for being such a great friend, it means a lot to me.

Goodbye,
Sean

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I felt a sharp pang in my chest as I folded the letter so it would fit inside my envelope. Just ending the friendship I had with Vanessa was completely rotten and rude, but with my mom sick and I've been a wreck ever since, I don't need to drag Vanessa into my problems. As much as I wanted to tell her about my mom, I decided she had more important things to worry about rather than my own problems.

I capped my pen and closed the envelope, laying it on top of the kitchen table for my dad to drop off at the post office on his way to take mom in for treatment. Outside, rain was pouring, it looked weary and gray outside- just like my soul right now.

"Hi, buddy!" My dad says as he walks inside, shrugging his jacket off and laying it over the couch.

"Hey, dad," I sigh, resting my chin in my palm.

"What's going on? You've been really down lately... is it mom?" He sits down next to me on the couch.

"Sort of... yes... I'm really confused about all of this, honestly."

"Have you talked to Vanessa about mom?"

"No.... I've decided to stop writing to her," I say shakily, and I felt my dad's stare on me.

"Why?"

"I have so much going on in my life right now, and the last thing I need is for Vanessa to flip out over my family issues."

"But isn't that what friends are supposed to do? Care and help you get through this all?" My dad asks, running his fingers through his gray hair.

"It's been decided, dad. My last letter for her is on the table. I'll go wake mom up for treatment," I leave the couch and walk upstairs into my mom's room.
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Merry Christmas everyone! Sorry about the late update.

Liv and Grace