From the letters and postcards retrieved from the box labeled 'Benjamin Hall'. The letters are displayed from the bottommost, presumably the oldest, to the topmost, presumably the most recent.

***

Hi Clare!

My name is Ben. Mum told me to learn to write and she said I must write to you. How old are you? How are you doing? What is your hobby?

Reply soon (before Mum gets angry),

Ben

***

Hi Claire

Mum said I wrote your name wrong, so here I go agan. How old are you? How are you doing? What is your hobby?

Sorry for the trouble,

Ben

***

Hi Claire

Mum said I spell 'again' wrong before this, I'm sorry.

My hand hurts. I don't like writing. Please reply,

Ben

***

Hey, Claire,

I'm glad you replied my stupid letters back then in elementary. You almost literally saved my life. I'm writing this to you now because, I don't know, I just feel like I need to. So if you're feeling like you can't be bothered, I won't blame you if you don't bother reading this.

On the other hand, I'm also glad I got to know you better. I'm a bit ashamed that I didn't even know my own neighbor. I'm sorry if those troublesome letters got off as really formal because they actually were. My Mum was pressuring me to write them down (hence the blotch on the corner of the first one – that was either my teardrop or Mum's spit, I'm never really sure). As you can see, my handwriting hasn't exactly improved over the years. But I suppose several other things did.

Let me start over now. From the very beginning, if I may.

I never knew that Aunt Merida had a child. Yeah, I'm not much of the outgoing type. I prefer staying at home, listening to music while drawing random things. They keep my sanity in check. No, I'm not saying that my life is bad – really, my life is actually pretty good, if I may objectively try to judge. I have a hard-working honest loving father and a gorgeous mother whose family is her life. They have steady income and spend enough time at home so that their children don't feel neglected. What's to protest? No, my life is fine. But maybe it's the lack of development in it that's the case. Or maybe it's just this introversion tendency that I'd had since as long as I can remember.

Well, first off, this introverted thing kept me from knowing those around me. I only know Aunt Merida because she came over to my house to see Mum a lot. I didn't even know that she wasn't actually my Aunt, I didn't know that the 'Aunt' part was an honorary title Mum had given her and taught me because they were, like, really tight. I bet you also saw Mum over at yours a lot to meet Aunt Merida. Mum had told me that they were childhood friends, so I couldn't really blame them for being that close. So when Mum figured that I needed to practice writing, she thought I should find a pen buddy in you. So the letters began.

Again, you saved my life.

Secondly, you don't know how I felt about writing to a girl. I know, it might sound rather sexist or maybe even a bit wimpy on my side, but I was a kid and what did I know? All I knew was that I'm a boy and I play with boys. Girls were another species altogether.

But – again, your reply saved my life.

If it wasn't for that chance meeting yesterday – with your papers falling all over the place and everything at the park – I wouldn't have known the girl who saved my life.

Okay, that's a bit too melancholic.

Speaking of which, when are you going to submit those papers? Professor Johnson's been going crazy about that new cloning law issue this semester, so I think you made a good topic choice. I mean, cloning has been around for decades now, and no one's got the guts to do anything about it yet. Moral reasons, everything. So that new Genetic Code of Ethics and the laws that came with it were really something, I think. Well, honestly, for Professor Johnson's Genetics, I'm not taking cloning for my papers – I'm taking the wonders of cellular implant and how if one of the cell's components came from another person's cell the cell can still function properly despite some likely genotype differences.

Can I see a copy of those papers tomorrow, though? You actually got me hooked. Um, on the topic, I mean. I'll leave my number on the next page, just text me any time you're free and I'd be more than glad to have a coffee with you.

See you 'round and good luck,

Ben

***

Claire –

You little genius, that was awesome! I mean, I've never actually looked at the cloning problem so seriously, but girl – those views – your papers are amazing.

Oh, I'm a bit too off to the center, aren't I?

By the way, I don't know why but I'm actually kind of glad that you replied with a letter too as a reply! So classic, and, I don't know, I guess this can make an inside joke for us. Next time we meet, we'll see who has the more letter-related jokes.

Back to your papers – be honest with me. I mean, I've heard a lot of moral standpoints on the contra side of the argument about human cloning. But on the pro side solutions, I'm intrigued with your idea about actually utilizing the floating man thought experiment concept on a literal scale with a clone so that the clone would grow up without feelings and emotions. I mean, sure, the floating man thought experiment asked that if a human was born and raised and lived on floating about in a space that keeps the human in a constant sensory deprivation, would the human be able to identify itself as a human based on its own experience? If sensory deprivation can actually deprive someone of their identity as well, then can humans be actually stripped of their inherent emotions? And if they do, then can clones be raised without emotions so that utilizing their existence merely as lifetime organ donors wouldn't be such a moral burden – since the clones wouldn't even realize who they are and what they are for?

Is that the actual loophole in the moral implications of human cloning – by stripping the clone of their morals and humanity, so that there would be no moral burden in utilizing them merely as clones and not humans (since they are stripped of their humanity)?

Be honest with me. Do you think that could actually work? Stripping a clone human being of their humanity so that real human lives can be saved?

Oh, that makes me think. What is the standard that defines a human being as a real human being? Why would a clone human being be anywhere less than a real human being – since, genetically speaking, both are human beings?

I had a lot of fun reading your points. I think Professor Johnson's going to throw a party in your honor after he read that paper.

Cheers,

Ben

***

Hey, girl.

Just wanna say I told you so.

I did say Professor Johnson's going to throw a party in your honor, didn't I?

***

Hi Claire, can we meet up?

I have a few things to tell you and I think I really need to see you. Yeah, Martha just broke up with me, and oh – I don't know, I'm not used to dealing with emotions and honestly, this really hurts. I mean, you're a girl, I think you know better about these emotions and how to deal with them?

Thanks, Claire.

***

Claire...

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean for things to get like that last night, it was just...I don't know. Claire, honestly, you're my friend. My very good friend. You know that. And heck, I don't want to lose you or any of this in that matter. If last night really destroyed our friendship, Claire...if I can turn back the clock, I promise I would undo that. Call me selfish, but I swear with all the honesty I can muster, I don't want to lose you.

I have told you about how introverted I usually am, right? Claire, you're the one who changed that. And that's not even it. You changed me for the better in so many ways I can't describe, and not to mention the many times you saved me.

So let me send you one letter...and can we be friends again?

Or, if you want to talk about it, I'm here. You know I am. Maybe you'd prefer to not talk about it anyway, but if anything, well...you get the point.

So how old are you? How are you doing? What is your hobby? :-)

Have a great one, Claire.

Ben

***

Hey, Claire.

Congratulations on the scholarship! So you're moving to Boston for at least three years, huh? Oh, well, as long as that doesn't change your accent or make you a stereotypical dumb blonde, I guess that's fine. You're too smart to be dumb, anyway.

I think you're on the right path to your dream of being a Geneticist. Ever since I read that paper of yours, I knew you could do it. And here's your shot!

I'm sure you already know, but this might be the last time I can hand you a letter or anything, so hell, I'm going to say it anyway: make. This. Count.

I believe in you.

Best of luck, and I'll see you again in a few years, okay?

Behave!

Godspeed,

Ben.

Ps. keep that drawing, I like to think that you have something to remember me by.

***

Hey Claire!

How's everything there? The town's been a bit noisy lately. Do you remember Old McGee? The school janitor who also works in the park? His wife found him in his bed, peaceful and lifeless, one night. She contracted an almost immediate heart attack. Everyone at school is talking about Old McGee's funeral, and things are looking bleak for Mrs. McGee. She's in a stupor coma, I think, and so far, there's no hope of her getting any better.

Then Kid Walter, that big badass bully? He's missing. I don't know, some folks said he impregnated a girl and ran away with her, but there's no telling. Good thing his foster parents couldn't care less. I'm more worried about that girl, though, but there's no complaint of any missing girls lately – not from a close family member, at least. So maybe the girl he ran with lived alone or something.

Professor Johnson steers my studies further away from Genetics and into Human Physiology Analysis. At first it was subtle, but eventually I got the hint. He saw that I had talent in human biology, just not genetics in particular. He's a good man, and despite his courses and classes being so unbearably boring, I know he meant well. So here I am now – a Human Physiology Analysis student, waiting my first grad.

Things are good here for me, I guess. How about there? How's it going there? Is everything alright? Did anything interesting happen in your life?

I know, I know, I could've written an email, but hey – letters had always been our signature, remember? I don't think I have the guts to leave this sentiment behind.

I miss you, Claire. Reply as soon as you can, okay?

Waiting for your reply,

Ben

***

Hi, Claire!

I've told Aunt Merida that story you asked me to tell her and she said she'd write to you soon. Are you sending some kind of signal or something to her?

By the way, when are you coming back here? Will you be here this winter? Maybe around Christmas or New Year? Come on, you've gotta be here at least for the New Year. I'm dying to see you. Not to mention how Professor Johnson must be feeling.

Speaking of which, I think I'm going to take a short break from the academics after I graduate. I don't know; maybe apply for an internship at a hospital or something. Maybe I'd begin writing some medical fiction (yes, girl, this hobby of writing you letters actually hooked me up to writing. I'm reading a lot of classics lately, have you read The Count of Monte Cristo or The Call of the Wild? Go ahead and give them a try). So my autumn would be freer next year. What about you – any plans yet on what to do after you get your degree?

Yes, Claire, I know we can use video calls, but I'd rather not spoil the surprise – keep writing until we actually meet and we'll really see just how much we've both changed over these years (or how much we haven't, maybe?)

Besides, those phone calls and chats actually suffice. It's another channel for me to miss you. Again – I don't think I have the guts to leave this sentiment behind. Hehe. Sorry.

But hey – it's cheaper, anyway.

Get back at me soon, okay?

Ben

***

Claire –

I want to ask your opinion on the new laws enacted lately. The ones concerning genetics. I mean, I'm not a big fan of incest, but don't you think that that law is a little bit too...paranoid? I don't know, overwhelming? Overreacting? Sure, they have good biological reasons for that, but actually making it a written law for the public? Is it really a wise thing to do – making sets of laws basing on genetic science? It's as if they haven't interfered enough. What next – prohibition of marriage over different castes or social levels? They've gotten off fine with the religious reasons, and now they're making ones with genetics. Heck, traced back, we all descend from the same colonies of pre-modern humans – of course we all share similar sets of genes, despite the age and variety! We all stem from the same sources – us from the early Caucasians, and everything! Sure, the differences can be really vast now, but at certain levels, of course we'd share coancestries, right?

Besides, distant relatives can still share up to a little over six percent of coancestry, if I recall correctly? It's still above five percent of coancestry. So they're still lawfully prohibited from marrying? Come on, distant relatives – that's a little too far, don't you think? I mean, first cousins may be off limits – that's okay, although some countries allow it – but distant cousins? First off, the biological risk of having inbreeding depression or partially biologically defunct children is reduced, because the genomes wouldn't be as similar as it would be with close relatives like a nuclear family or first cousins. But we're talking distant relatives here. Even when we marry and procreate with someone from another family entirely, a similar risk persists at a certain percentage because some genomes are already carriers of genetic illnesses and can cause outbreeding depression still. Prohibiting incest by law – and I mean here the definition of incest set by the new law, with the over five percent coancestry and everything – isn't exactly eliminating that possibility. Okay, I may be justified, and you know what? I'm not a supporter of incest. But don't you think that the law is a little bit overreacting to the issue – if it even is an issue? Because some incestuous relationship in several isolated colonies ended up not resulting in inbreeding depression, but instead purged the deleterious genes off the population. Isn't that actually an advantage?

Get back at me as soon as you can, okay? I miss hearing your elaborations. You always have your way with words.

See you this Christmas (still hoping here),

Ben

***

Claire!

Is it true that you're coming back here this Christmas Eve?

Oh, wow, what's it been like – two, three years?

So excited!

Please say yes?

Ben

***

Hey, Claire!

Just sending you this to get you even more homesick on your way here, hehe.

Mum is coming over to Aunt Merida's a lot lately, and I smell a lot of baking from over there – your mom makes the best cookies I've ever tasted, and ooh, maybe they're making special editions!

That café where we met up for the first time and talked about your papers – it's grown quite a bit now! But the good thing is? They didn't mess up our seats at all! It stays there just as it was!

Do you remember that shopkeeper who gave you free pies out of the blue? He's getting married now, and guess with whom? It's – whoops, almost a spoiler there.

Come over here and you'll see!

By the way, hell is freezing over here, so be sure to bring your warmest pair of mittens. Is your favorite beanie still as warm as I remember it was?

See you soon,

Ben

***

Claire –

You looked amazing.

Okay, maybe that little hug at the train station affected my judgment a bit (you know how much I missed you), but who cares? I'd still think you look amazing nonetheless.

Go get some rest, you need it. We'll have a whole day tomorrow to go out and talk about everything. I have good feelings about tomorrow, what about you?

I'll see you in the morning, but hey – take your time, you haven't been here for a while. Maybe get some warm water bath to relax?

See you tomorrow,

Ben

***

Claire,

I'm not sure which was more memorable: you taking selfies with Santa Claus, or the Santa actually asking you for another selfie with him.

That was quite a day, wasn't it?

I hope you enjoyed it. I sure know I do.

See you tomorrow,

Ben

***

Claire, I know this is weird, but this will be an introductory letter that I'm going to send over to your house every morning of the days we're going to spend. Or at least for the days you're going to spend that's going to involve me in your life.

Kidding. I'm just going to send you these if I'm in the mood for writing over to you in the morning. It's kinda fun. But it's okay; you won't get a lot of these; we'll be too busy spending time around town.

Today, I'm thinking that we should help our moms prepare for the New Year celebrations, since they're part of the town's celebration committee. You know, just run a couple of errands here and there. Then we'll have the rest of the day to our own. What say you?

Have fun,

Ben

***

Hey, Claire –

Here's another morning bulletin, hehe. If you're in the mood for some thinking today, can we grab a coffee and talk about my papers? I can really use your opinion on this matter.

I'll be coming over; you can just tell me what's up in about five minutes from now.

See you 'round,

Ben

***

Claire dear,

How art thou? What sayeth thou, we watch the A Christmas Carol play at the mall this evening?

Dress to kill, for I will wait for thee.

You don't need to reply this to say that you hate it when I use that kind of English, I already know. Really, though, dress to kill. I'm thinking we should hit that French restaurant just a little over the mall? Hey, you deserve this kind of treat every once in a while.

Bon appétit,

Ben

***

Happy New Year!

That's it. What else should I say, live your resolutions? I know you already do.

Ben

***

Oh, if only holidays can be longer.

I think I'm facing the inevitable now.

You're going to leave for the rest of the semester now, aren't you?

Well, I suppose I see this coming. It's just...it's pretty hard, you know. We finally got to spend some time together again after what could've been an eternity. You know I don't have that many friends, and I really enjoy your company.

After three years, I finally actually have someone around I can call a good friend.

But, well...life goes on, and I think you should really get that degree. Keep this letter on the way; I've attached with it all the photographs (at least the good ones) we captured this holiday together.

Looking forward to seeing you again :-)

Go get them,

Ben

***

Claire –

Are you serious about taking an academic break for the next term? I mean, I know your scholarship is only for this degree you're getting, but don't you think you can, like, go on a roll? Besides, they've seen how badass you are with Genetics.

But, well, I trust your judgments. I won't ask you to reconsider all the factors because I'm pretty sure you've done so like three times before you even get to read this letter, so whatever happens, I wish for you nothing but the best.

Congrats on graduating, by the way! (I know it's not official yet, but I know you're getting there in about two weeks)

Ben

***

HEY CLAIRE

Now that I have your attention – welcome back!

Look, I'm honestly surprised you choose to come back here for your summer holiday. What kind of a coed spends her post-grad summer holiday in her middle-of-nowhere hometown?

My dear Claire Bennett is.

So – since this is summer, I'm thinking we take a long road trip to the beaches or do crazy things in our backyards? But eh, that'll be a normal summer break for you, and since you chose to come over here this year, I think it isn't exactly what you're planning.

A cross-country road trip sounds nice, though.

Okay I think I'm just a bit too excited now.

Again – congrats on the degree!

Let's bring in the heat.

Kidding. It's already hot enough.

See ya,

Ben

***

Claire,

I don't know whose idea it was to crack those pots. Don't look at me. It's not funny.

I know your mom must be devastated. Please stop suspecting me. You know I'd never do such a thing to those delicate flowers. If you want, I'd accompany you to the florists today to see if they still sell those flowers. You know, just in case your mom would want to replant.

Condolences,

Ben

***

Hey, Claire!

Here's another morning memo. Yeah, I'm just feeling like it. The solstice is tomorrow, so we're going to have a very hot (and long) day, and since it's going to be late only at later hours, can we go do something through the day? You make the call. I think I'm going to slack for half an hour, but I'll be over at yours after that (and a short bath if I manage).

By the way, I heard they're going to have some fireworks tonight. I have a mischievous, devious plan for us so that we can see the fireworks clearly, at the highest possible spot, and all alone without anyone's interference. If we get lucky, even, we can watch other people down below!

Enticed?

Wait for me,

Ben

***

Claire...

I hope you like that exclusive (please don't say dangerous) seat on top of the city hall. Talk about heights! You have no idea how glad I was to learn that you have no acrophobia. That could've ruined the whole plan.

I hope you enjoyed tonight. The fireworks were beautiful, weren't they?

Alright, alright, I was trying not to talk about it...but okay, I'll mention it anyway (battle of conscience here). I have to admit that I was...caught off-guard when you kissed me.

(I could've fallen right off that roof, you know?)

But hey, who can blame you? I'm just that awesome. (You can hate me for this sentence later)

Okay, I might've reacted wrong when I showed no emotion or barely even moved, but I'd be lying if I say I'm not happy. Heck, it could've been the happiest I've been these last three years. But you know how much of a sucker I am when it comes to dealing with emotions, so I'm sorry if I come off as sending you mixed signals.

If you want to talk about it, you know I'm here.

See you tomorrow?

Ben

***

Claire –

Please don't think of me as a coward for saying this to you through a letter.

A letter was how we came to know each other, and a letter was what brought us together this close. I don't need to talk about the sentiments anymore; you've more than understood that.

So please don't think of me as a coward for saying this to you through a letter.

Okay – that incident three nights ago might be what led me to this, but heck: even if it didn't happen, I'd still do this eventually.

Whatever happens next, I just hope it won't destroy what wonderful relationship we already have.

Claire, you know I love you. And I don't know what you think, or feel, but I'd be really happy if we can be more than just friends.

Claire Bennett, would you be my girlfriend?

***

Claire,

Summer is about to end. I've applied as an assistant to a local doctor that Professor Johnson recommended me to. Yes, I know I could just say this to you, and I don't know why but I just feel like writing this one to you. But then I can't help thinking. What would you be chasing after next this autumn?

If you need any help, I'd be more than happy to lend a hand.

Love you,

Ben

***

CONGRATULATIONS

IT'S A JOB!

***

Claire –

I'm sorry I have to tell you this via memo, but the doctor said we'll be out of town for three days. I'll stay in touch. I'm sorry this comes by so abruptly; I swear, if I'd known in advance, I would've told you.

I'm really sorry. I'm gonna miss you, I know that, but do pray that I can concentrate on the job. :-p

See you in three days (and stay in one piece!),

Ben

***

Hey, Claire!

Just testing if this method works.

This way I can send you letters despite the snowstorm out there.

You have no idea how much I want to come over right now.

Or maybe you do...?

I'll see you tomorrow,

Ben

***

Claire...

Happy first anniversary! I really hope you like that one treat we held today. Because if you do, I can guarantee you next year would be so much better!

I can only hope that we can stay together, just like this. I know the path would get harder by the day, but hey – we'd get stronger, too. And you know I'd rather have you by my side if we're going through this battle.

One year was quite the ride. But our party's just getting started.

By the way, congrats on the promotion as well!

Best of luck, Claire-bear :-)

I love you,

(Your one and only) Benjamin Hall.

***

Hey, Claire,

I can't help but notice that your colleague Chris has his eyes on you.

Should I be worried, or...?

Please be careful. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you.

Stay safe,

Ben

***

Claire, can I ask you something?

Of all the times we've had together, is anything amiss?

Is something wrong?

Is there something you want to change?

Is there something I can do better than I have?

How much should I change to be the man you need?

I know I've asked you these a lot. But if we keep carrying on like this, I need you to know that I really need the answers. Yes, I am insecure. Yes, I feel inferior. And yes, I am selfish because I want you all to myself.

But Claire...if you can help make me a better man, and help make this work, you will help me, won't you?

Or is it just me?

***

Hi Claire-bear,

The doctor said there's a new assignment that's unlike anything I've ever handled before. I'd still be in town, but there's a good chance that this assignment will cost me 23 hours straight of waking.

Phew. Luckily I have that coffee you recommended me.

If this works, the doctor said he'd give me a day off. Wanna go out or do something?

Hit me back as soon as you can, okay?

Ben

***

Claire –

Good luck for the debate.

What's the topic, again? As I recall, it's the Finalization of the Cloning Laws...? It's about the one enacting the banning of human cloning, isn't it?

You're on the contra side, right? Well, I've seen your papers and I knew how much more about Genetics and philosophy you've learned since you returned from Boston – which I believe is also why you're invited to join in this debate – so go ahead and kick some doctors' asses.

If there's a live streaming of the debate, I'll be watching.

Good luck. You own this.

Ben

***

Welcome back, Claire!

I'm sorry about that debate. If you want to talk about it, or if you need me around, you know I'm here.

I have some bad news, however. Umm. Dad passed away last night. This drunkard bumped by him when he returned from work (Mum and I've convinced him to retire, but who's stopping him from supporting his family?), and he tried to help him. But that ungrateful bastard stabbed him through the stomach and ran away. Local cops are hot on his trail, but it was too late to save Dad.

But hey, at least you're back in town. When will you arrive? I'll be in my usual bench at the station. You know where to find (hug?) me.

I'll be waiting,

Ben

***

Claire, I'm really sorry about being angry at you about Chris. I was afraid.

I'm not saying I don't trust you, I'm just...jealous, I guess. Sorry. I should've known better. I'll trust you more.

I'm sorry if I disappointed you. I'll make it up to you. You free tomorrow night? I think I have an idea...

Please forgive me,

Ben

***

Claire...

Can we meet in the café where we used to hang out the first time? Treat's on me. I really need you. And yes, it's sentimental, that's why I use a letter to tell you this. You can name the time.

I'll be waiting,

Ben

***

Hi, Claire!

After years of refraining to write a letter to you (as we agreed to keep its value), I just can't help this one. Especially since today we're supposed to be celebrating our fifth year together, maybe? But hey, I would be a very bad boyfriend if I hinder your progress. However...

You're free tonight, right? Think you can manage staying awake for a few more hours and meet me at the city hall? I have a surprise for you ;-)

Be there,

Ben

***

Claire,

I know it's weird, me handing you a letter to read right here in front of me while I can just speak to you, but a letter has been how I came to know you and how we came together, and I don't want to change the way it is.

You know I love you, and I believe that you love me, too. So if you think you'll like the sound of Claire Bennett-Hall, you can now turn to look at me and – pretty please – say 'yes'.

***

My dearest Benjamin Hall,

We've spent a year in this beautiful engagement. I know that it is quite above the normal delay, and I am so sorry for that, but a certain situation arose after I spoke to both our parents that forced me to make this delay from our marriage.

So firstly, although I will only hand you this letter on the day of the first anniversary of our engagement, I wrote this a day prior and each and every letter I wrote here broke me to pieces. You might think that I've harbored a secret all through this year, and I know you suspect Chris for it, but believe me; he has nothing to do with this. This is another thing altogether, and I think it's about time that I tell you this.

I've made a promise to both our parents to tell you this, and I've stalled as long as I can because I don't have the heart to destroy everything we've held on so dearly. But I know that if this comes from our parents to you, and you realize that I do know about this, your anger would lead you to blame me, and be angry at me, and God forbid, with this burden, the last thing I need now is your deliberate absence from my life.

You know how much I love you, and only God can tell how much I really meant it when I said 'yes'. And I really, really like the sound of Claire Bennett-Hall. It may be the only name change I wait for this century.

Love, don't misunderstand me if you find me gone one day. I've never had the courage to leave you, and not that I want to, either. But I simply have to, and it is not your fault.

Can I blame the nature for what happened? Can I blame the universe?

Ben, no matter what happens or what you read after this, I beg you to never, ever, pin any blame to either of our parents.

As soon as we announced our engagement, our parents called me because you were busy on that doctor's assignment. I first feared that they would try to talk us through the marriage to see how much fit we were, or how much we meant it, or maybe even endorse us to it. But what they told me afterwards left me speechless.

I begged them to let me tell you instead of having them tell you themselves. And as much as I hate it, I have a promise to keep. I'd rather you hear this from me than from them – they wouldn't understand the way we feel.

Ben, do you remember that paper you submitted to Professor Johnson years ago – one about cellular implants? About organelle replacements? At this moment, it might excite you to know that I can bring you an actual case.

But what if...the case is your mother?

Don't get me wrong, sweetheart. It is not an insult. I love your mother, just like I love mine. But this is what she told me.

After she married your father, they realized for a moment that she had a certain egg cell deformity that prevents her from having any children. She might've told you this. I also remember you telling me that your birth was a miracle. But as it turns out, this miracle isn't as beautiful as it sounds.

Because the miracle comes in the form of my mother.

No, don't think of it that way – your father never had any affair with my mother. He didn't even actually endorse this 'miracle'. But he understood how much your mother wanted to have a child, and decided to finally rest the case.

My mother had healthy egg cells, Ben. She and your mother were very good friends, and your mother trusts only her to help her with this. So she donated several egg cells to be organelle donors for your mother's egg cells. They offered to help her fix them up, and with the recently 'fixed' egg cells, your father can offer his sperm and fertilize those eggs. Then the fertilized eggs were planted in your mother's womb to grow into an embryo.

And, eventually, you.

The problem, Ben, is when the cells replicated. They replicated my mother's genes as well in those egg cells. The usual allele dominance battle occurred, and the resulting haploid genome was the gene that would've been if our mothers were sisters.

Then that genome met your father's.

Yes, Ben. This is what you needed to know. I hate to mention it straight away, but I can't find a better way to euphemize it anyhow. My mother's blood also flows in your veins, and I can't tell the exact amount – it may be as little as six percent, but it may be up to twelve and a half percent if we can be accounted for as half-siblings.

Ben, I love you unconditionally. And since I am me, I won't let this stop us from getting anywhere. But the law is getting in our way. We have above five percent coancestry, Ben. We can't marry. Not with that law hanging above us.

If you want, sweetheart, we can talk about it. We can try to find a solution. We can still try to make this work.

But if this is too much for you to bear, I will understand. I will not blame you. I will not hate you.

We have grown to become autumns now, Ben. Our skies had turned gray; our summer spirits are merely waves of exciting shivers in our lives. We are ready to make the hard decisions now. We are ready to greet the storms of winter.

We have grown so much, Ben. And I trust that you can make the calls we have to make. And, if we have to, I'm sure we are ready to find an answer to this. Or, if there isn't any, I am sure that you are ready to face what is coming.

I hope you understand.

I love you, Benjamin Hall. I cherish all the times we've had together. I enjoy every single autumn I can spend not getting myself locked up someplace away from you, but together with you. And I am really, really sorry that I cannot yet bear your last name.

I hope you understand.

Forever yours,

Claire Bennett

***

After she finished, she put the letters back in the box and went to bed.

She could still feel her hands trembling as she put her pen down. Tomorrow might be her first engagement anniversary, but that wasn't exactly why she was feeling anticipative.

A letter has been how they came to know each other, and a letter has been how they wound up together. And she didn't want to change any of that.

She couldn't help herself from feeling quite like a traitor to that sentiment by writing the last letter. But she hoped her fiancé would understand.

She put the letters back in the box, put it on the table, put the anniversary greeting card atop the lid, and went back to bed.

She snuggled closer to Ben. She hated herself. She hated what she knew. She hated the law. She hated the universe.

But there's no changing that now.

She could almost imagine Ben's expression when he read that letter. She could almost imagine his trembling voice, his confusion. She could almost imagine the depression that would come later.

She could feel her eyes water.

She wrapped a hand around her beloved and kissed his cheek. He was still sleeping soundly, peacefully, and happily in the memory that he is engaged to the love of his life and that tomorrow they would be celebrating their first engagement anniversary.

He had no idea, Claire thought sadly. He had absolutely no idea.

She loved him with her life. And if it takes her life, she wouldn't think twice to give it away.

She thought back at the last letter she wrote. And she couldn't help but to cry in silence.

She hoped Ben would understand.

***

THE END.