Page 18 of Give Me a Reason

Dear Anne,

I miss you. The sunsets here are surreal, but they would be so much more beautiful if I watched them with you tucked in my arms, my chin resting on top of your head.

But it hurts a little less because everything here is new, so I’m not constantly reminded of you.

That’s the part I hate about you going back home while I stay behind at school.

Everything reminds me of you. I can’t even eat fish tacos without thinking of you.

You have to admit that’s tragic. I am tragic when you’re away.

The weekend drags on like eternity, and I miss you endlessly.

I come alive only when you come back to me.

Even so, I wish it were me who’d stayed behind. I worry you might miss me like I would miss you. Does everything you see remind you of me? Does every part of you ache to be with me? I would rather hurt than have you miss me that much. Not when I can’t make it better. Not when I can’t hold you.

Despite the bummer tone of this letter (sorry, I just miss you and worry about you), I am enjoying my time here in Maui with my sister and my brother-in-law. Shannon bought a whole box of Maui Gold pineapples for me to bring you. We can live off it for weeks! It’s so good.

God, I hope I don’t start missing you over pineapples after I’ve shared them with you. I’m joking, I’m joking. I know it’s hard, but try to have fun without me. Ha ha. I’ll see you in a week.

Forever yours (from paradise),

Frederick