Ten years ago

Ollie,

I’m praying for your safety. Let me know if you need anything else.

Love,

Kaitlynn

P.S. Share the goodies with your friends.

Kit Kat,

Thank you for taking the time to mail me so many wonderful things. I put most of them to good use and shared them as well. Receiving it made my day. It reminded me of home. Thank you for your prayers.

God bless,

Oliver

Ollie,

Next time, let me know what you’d like from home. After everything that you’re doing for our country, the least I should do is keep you happy—or at least try. Sorry if I sound selfish or insensitive. I’m trying not to be either. Writing you is kind of hard because I have no idea what you’re going through.

Every time I watch the news with that, I’m terrified about our troops—and you. It makes me want to fly to Afghanistan and bring you home. Love to hear more about you, how things are going—within reason.

Let me catch you up with my life. I’m off to Los Angeles, UCLA accepted me. Can you believe it? I’m going to be pursuing a media and television degree. My parents aren’t happy about it, since my sister moved to New York. (I heard that you guys broke up, sorry. What a selfish bitch...I hope we can still be friends.) The ‘rents are unhappy because they don’t have anyone to boss around at the restaurant without pay. But it is what it is, you know? My dreams don’t include staying in Savannah, tending to the family restaurant.

Please, don’t get me wrong, I love Blythe’s and my parents. Well...love the parents and like Blythe’s. But if I want to host my own cooking show, I have to find my own way. Just the way you did. I admire and respect the way you took charge of your life, and knew all along what you wanted to do with your life.

Be safe.

Love,

Kaitlynn

Kit Kat,

Your package and letter not only brightened my day, but I’m relieved to know that I’m not losing my best friend after what happened with Kelsey. Actually, I have no idea what happened with your sister. Do you? Her last email me that we were over, and that was the end of it. I can’t wrap my head around it.

Things around here are fucking insane. We have to watch our backs every second of the day. Your packages and letters are the highlight of my day when they arrive. Please keep sending them. Things are too dark here, receiving a little sunshine from you makes it bearable.

Good luck in LA.

OT

Five years ago

Ollie,

How are you soldier? I hope the cookies made it in one piece, along with everything else. Let me know what you think about them. If everything goes as planned, I might start marketing them. There’s so much I have to tell you, but the SparkNotes are as follows:

1)     Kelsey is a teacher –who knew she’d want to shape young minds.

2)     I got a job in Atlanta –the Food Network hired me!

3)     I moved out of LA ☹

4)     I broke up with Esteban –my first long term relationship *insert a broken heart*

Now you’re caught up with my life, there’s more. But let’s save the drama for later. When you come back home and we can share a meal. When are you coming back?

Love,

Kaitlynn

Kaitlynn,

I was beginning to wonder about your whereabouts. It’s been months since I’ve heard from you. The cookies were incredible. Send as many as you want, I’ll be happy to taste test them for you. The next time I’m in the US, I promise to contact you. Your SparkNotes are too condensed to understand what’s really going on with your life.

What happened to those long letters that you sent while in college?

I miss them, along with the little drawings you make next to your notes. In any case, let me comment about your current life.

1)     I rather not comment on your sister.

2)     Congratulations on the new job, and I wish I was home to help you move.

3)     Sorry about LA. I know you loved living there.

4)     I never liked Esteban. Who changes his name from Steve to Esteban to make it big in the comedy world?  

OT

Ollie,

I remember having more time to write to you back in college than I have now. Adulting isn’t easy. You can’t judge Esteban, you never met the man. I have to confess that I liked him better when he was just Steve. Good riddance to him. When you say the next time I visit the US, you imply as if you’ve been here and never notified me. I confess that I’m a little hurt. Let me know how the cookies taste.

Love,

Kaitlynn

Oliver,

I forgot to mention during our call that the Blythes died a month ago. I know you’re on a mission and can’t reach me, but call me when you can.

Love,

Mom