LATER THAT DAY, while I was lounging on the couch and watching old episodes of Rick and Morty, I heard the front door unlock and someone enter. I didn't even have to tear my eyes away from the tv screen to know it was my father. The sound of his Timberlands thumping against the floorboards and the sound of snow crunching underneath his boots gave him away as he set the grocery bags on the floor with a loud grunt. My dad released a heavy sigh and shut the front door behind him. I would have continued watching my show and not have had paid him any mind if it weren't for these next few words to come out of his mouth.

"You've got mail, Flor!" Dad shouted, making me shoot up from my seat like a loose mattress spring.

I've been waiting to hear from my safety schools since I sent in my applications back in December. I rushed over to where my father was standing in the doorway and grabbed the mail from his hands. I let him carry the groceries into the kitchen and walked back into the living room, so I could separate his mail from mine.

I set our letters in a pile on the coffee table and began flipping through them one by one. Most of the mail was for my father and consisted of bills, health insurance updates, sports catalogs, and so on. The more I sifted through the pile, the more I was beginning to think I didn't actually have any mail until I came across one envelope addressed to me. My lips parted in a gasp when I saw who the sender was.

Lester McKay
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort (Merritt Field)
Geiger Blvd, Beaufort, SC 29904

I felt my heart pound in my chest as I thought about the last time we saw each other. Memories of us kissing and him professing his love for me came rushing back while I tore open the envelope and pulled out the folded piece of paper inside. I read over each scripted word on the page, careful not to overlook a single detail.

Dear Florence,

You're probably wondering why it's been weeks since we've last spoken to each other. I'm to blame for that. The marines have had me so busy that I haven't had quality time to sit down and write a letter like this until now. I could have called you, I know, but my commander is very strict about when we can use our phones and for how long, and I made the decision to use every chance I got to call my mother and my brother. Our phone conversations seem to help her cope better with the fact that I'll be away for a few more months. I hope that you're not too mad at me for this.

How have you been doing these past few weeks? Have you heard back from any colleges yet? How does it feel knowing that in just a few months you'll be done with high school? Is Adrian's absolutely boring without me there?

I really miss having you around. I miss all of the conversations we used to have at Adrian's. I miss hearing you laugh and seeing you smile. I've made a few friends here, but I'm only really close to one of them. Her name is Denise, and she's from St. Louis Missouri. We're about the same age, and she's got a great sense of humor. She'd love to meet you one day.

I can't stop thinking about that kiss we shared before I left. I would relive that moment forever if I could. I never knew anything could feel so soft until I kissed your lips. This may be me testing my luck, but I'm hoping you'll let me take you out for dinner when I get back.

I hope to hear from you soon. Don't be a stranger.

Love,
Lester

My cheeks reddened once I finished reading the last paragraph of his letter. I felt a warm and fuzzy feeling spread throughout my body as I rested my cheek in my palm in thought. Since Lester left, I tried not to think about the goodbye kiss I shared with him or any potential feelings I may or may not have for him, but receiving a letter like this from him made it incredibly hard to do just that.

I convinced myself that as long as Lester wasn't physically here, I didn't have to think about where our relationship stood. However, I thought Lester's letter was too important it to go unresponded to. I gently set his letter down on the coffee table and walked over to the living room closet where we stored board games, tools, envelopes, pens, and sheets of paper among other things.

Once I retrieved my desired items, I resumed my position on the sofa and began writing my response to Lester.

Dear Lester,

It's really nice to hear from you after all of this time. I'm happy to hear that you've made a few friends during your time in the Marines. To answer all of your questions, these past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride of emotions, but I can't say I'm not enjoying myself. As for colleges, I haven't heard back from any yet but the ones I'm interested in the most should release their decisions in March and April (keeping my fingers-crossed). I really can't wait to be done with high school, but there's still so much to be done before then. Lastly, I think you'll be happy to know Adrian's has definitely not been the same without you.

Giovanni and I have bonded more since you left, and I'm sure he'd be happy to hear how you're doing. Same goes for my father. I have a few questions for you of my own.

What are you planning to do after your training is over? Can you see yourself moving back to Silver Springs or going to someplace else?

In regards to your statement about taking me out to dinner, I hope you know I like Italian food. I'd definitely love to grab dinner with you when you come back into town, so let's make it happen. Stay safe and tell your friend Denise that I wouldn't mind meeting her one day either.

Sincerely,
Florence

I checked my letter for any spelling mistake before folding the paper and placing it inside of my white envelope. After sealing the white envelope, I wrote the address of the military base Lester was staying at along with his name and my address in case it had to be sent back to me. I added a stamp to the letter and placed it in its own individual pile on the coffee table.

I made a mental note to mail the letter before school in the morning and went back to watching tv. When Rick and Morty went to commercial break, I couldn't help but smile as I wondered what Lester's reaction would be when he received my letter in the mail. I wished I could be there to capture the moment he sees what I wrote him with my own eyes, but unfortunately he was just one too many miles away. I'll always wonder if things would have changed between us if he never left or if they would have stayed the same.

Author's Note:

Hey everyone. I hope you enjoyed this update. I needed a distraction from all of the horrible things that have been happening on the news right now, especially in Charlottesville, VA and writing this chapter was very therapeutic for me.

I'm so amazed that Behind Closed Doors has reached 17K reads. I never really expected much when I first started writing this story, but I'm so glad there are people taking time out of their day to read my work. You all honestly mean so much to me.

Feel free to vote, comment, share this story with a friend, or follow me on wattpad. I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, please don't forget to vote for BCD in the wattys. I know it's a long shot that I'd get an award, but a writer can only dream.

Questions for my readers: What is something you do that helps you relieve stress?

I'm trying to develop good de-stressing practices for college.

—
Kaylandia