SUNDAY NIGHT

We did not go to bed till late that night, on account of a movie marathon that we elected to watch. It was enjoyable and I got to spend more time with my real family. Amy had fallen asleep on my lap and I had gotten and chance to stroke her hair without protest. I envied her, as I said before. I did not find myself unattractive (I was only ten and it didn’t really matter) but I did not find myself special or unique, and I wasn’t. I had a very average life and family, and I was happy but unfulfilled with it.

When I finally went up to my room, I found myself just staring out the window and not really looking at anything. It was a clear night: No clouds, no rain. Crickets sang in the small forest to the left of our house, making the noise I had grown to love come through the open window and reach my ears. It was a lullaby of sorts, but nothing compared to my Mothers’. The moon shone through my window, casting the white light onto my floor and making it seem as though the thick summer air had become visible. I smiled softly and looked up at the deep blue sky, my eyes darting from star to star, and the occasional planet. I found numerous constellations and even saw the Milky Way. I was thankful that we lived out where there were not any city lights to fade the view. The computer suddenly chimed an email report. I went over to the computer, walking in a dream-like state, moving slowly.

“Her and I.” I broke out of my trance and re-read the email, checking that I didn’t miss anything.

“That is a very loose term.”

“Yes.”

“I like specific things.”

“Me and my female partner.”

“That’s a good start. Now tell me why I have this letter.”

“Your turn.”

“I am female.”

“That is a very loose term.”

“That’s all you gave me.”

“Touché.”

“Why do I have this letter?”

“Fate.”

“Don’t be dramatic.”

“Chance sounds lazy.”

“Chance often is.”

“You did not get it because of sloth.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“Your turn.”

“I live away from a city. Now you.”

                “We are in a city.”

                “That does not tell me anything about the letter. And I know exactly where you are.”

                “Tell us.”

                “London, UK”

                “I thought you liked specific things.”

                “That was all the packing label said.”

                “We know where you are, too. I wrote the address.”

                “At random. You did not pay attention to what you wrote.”

                “What is your evidence?”

                “For one, the writing is sloppy and not specific. It looks as though a six-year-old wrote it. Two, you don’t know where I am.”

                “You’re quite clever, aren’t you?”

“I like to think so. Your turn.”

                “We work for a large company.”

                “Which one? And again, that has nothing to do with the letter.”

                “A company that sends out special letters to special people.”

                “You said I got it by chance.”

                “You did. We did not say special meant good.”

                “I understand. I will contact you when I can. I have what I need for now. Goodbye.” With that I shut off the computer and climbed into bed, my mind racing.