Always With Me

Part 39- Becca Lowrey

Days turned to months after Hallie came storming into our lives.  It was nearing the end of August by now, and I knew that Zack was going to be coming home soon.  I still had one week until I got to see him, and after scarcely getting to talk to him the entire time he was gone, I still felt as if the same exact Zack was going to be coming home.  I'd begun college the week before, and that was a huge adjustment.  It was only a short drive from my house, so I went with my dad to take my things up a few days before my first day.   That helped take my anxious mind off of seeing Zack again.  Especially since I could now count on two hands the days that we had left until we saw each other, I could hardly stand the wait.  Before I left for college, I checked my mailbox one last time in anticipation for a new letter.  I didn't even wait until I got inside to read it.

    Dear Becca,

    It isn't long now until I get to be with you again.  And have I mentioned that I CANNOT WAIT?  Even though it has only been two and a half months, I feel like I haven't seen you in so long.  I don't know how we are going to do this again, Lowrey.  I love you so much.  You make me so happy.  And now, you are starting college soon.  I can't wait to see where life takes you, and I am so thankful to be a part of it.  As I write this letter, my arms feel like they are about to fall off and my head is cold.  Mainly because it has been shaved (Just warning you). I'm exhausted. And all that I can think about is you.  I swear my buddies that I've met while here are tired of me talking about you, but I just can't help it.  I could talk about you all day and never get tired of it.  But soon, I won't have to just talk about you because soon we will be together again.  Until then, keep my old man in line for me.  I'd bet he's acting up without me there.  I LOVE YOU, BECCA LOWREY.

                    Love, Zack

    I smiled myself as I read the letter.  I put it in the stack with the rest of the letters that he'd sent me that was now in a box on my desk.  This was the last letter that he'd be sending me before he got home.  I couldn't wait much longer.

    When I wasn't already slaving over college work, I was talking to Dahlia and Ellie.  Ellie was at the same college as me, and we were roommates.  Dahlia drove up with Hallie on the first week of school to eat lunch with us.

    "How is school going?" Dahlia asked as we sat down.  She put Hallie's carseat on the booth seat beside her and Ellie and I both sat on the other side of the table.

    "It is great so far! My algebra class is already killing me, though.  I have an online quiz due Friday that I have barely started.  And then Friday, I am coming home.  By the time I get home, Zack will hopefully be there, or at least on his way," I said.  Both of my friends squealed in excitement.

    "I know you are excited!" Dahlia said.

    "Believe me, I am.  I've barely gotten to speak to him since he left, so it is exciting that I will get to see him soon.  I have missed him so much," I said.

    "What time will you probably be getting home?" Dahlia asked.  I shrugged.

    "I have my last class at two.  So some time after that," I told her.  "Zack doesn't actually get home until Saturday, though.  His graduation is Friday night, but he and his dad come home Saturday."

    "Are you planning on going to graduation?" Ellie asked.

    "I can't.  My class gets out too late for me to leave," I sighed. 

    "We should all do something Friday night.  How about you guys stay at my house and we have a movie night or something?" Dahlia said after we took our order for food.  The waiter left and we began to make plans for Friday night.