Chapter Text
Carson sat at a small desk. In front of her was a large window and to the left sat a dark blue couch with an end table on one end and a bookshelf on the other. On top of the end table sat the only lamp in the room. The light barely reaching the desk. “Ugh.” Carson groaned in frustration. She was surrounded by several crumpled up papers. Some on the desk and some on the floor around her. She looked out the window with a sigh. City lights came into view along with the few stars that didn’t get mixed with the Chicago skyline. That's the only thing I miss about Idaho she thought while looking at the stars. She wondered if the stars she saw at that moment were the same Greta saw in New York. “Greta…” she sighed once again, looking down at a blank piece of paper. She picked up the pen for the umpteenth time and started writing.
Dear Greta,
Sorry it has taken me so long to write you. A lot has happened since we last saw each other and you left for New York. I would much rather tell you this in person, but you deserve to know; Charlie saw us in Rockford when we were saying our goodbyes. He was mad at first but after many arguments and going back and forth with each other, he finally realized that our marriage was over. You don’t need to worry though because he promised he wouldn’t tell anyone. I trust him and so can you. I had kept in contact with Lupe. She mentioned her and Jess were living in Chicago, so that’s where I went. I moved in with them and Jess got me a job at the factory they both worked at. It’s nothing amazing, but it pays the bills. Is the pizza there as good as it is in Rockford? We tried pizza from this place right next to our apartment (walking in we should've known it wasn't a good idea to even be standing in there, let alone eat there) and let me just say, I’d be surprised if the racoons ate it! How are you? I miss you. A lot. Have you heard from Jo? And if so, how is she doing? I hope all is well with you and I hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Carson
Carson set the pen down, satisfied. It wasn’t her best work, but it was a lot better than the other drafts that laid around her. She got up with a groan just as the door swung open.
“Hiya coach!” Jess blurted out.
“Sorry. She had one too many beers.” Lupe apologized while struggling to keep Jess from walking right into the doorframe.
“Just one?” she joked.
They both helped Jess to the couch. Lupe took her shoes off as Carson got a cool washcloth to put on Jess’ forehead. Carson and Lupe shared a look over Jess, chuckled, and went to their bedrooms to turn in for the night.
The next morning Carson walked into the living room to find Jess still asleep on the couch snoring as usual. She turned to the kitchen and started working on breakfast. A few minutes later Lupe shuffled in with her nose turned toward the ceiling.
“Something smells good.” she yawned.
“Just some eggs and sausage.” Carson replied. “Want some?”
“Nah. I’ll just get some coffee.” Lupe stretched for two mugs and poured some of the black liquid, handing one to Carson. “So what were you up to last night?” she asked.
“Nothing as nearly as fun as whatever you two were up to.” Carson chuckled. “ I finally wrote a letter to Greta. I think I’ll actually send this one off. I just hope I don’t sound too desperate.” The truth was she was really desperate. Desperate to hear from Greta. To learn what she’d been up to. To know how she was doing. To know if Greta had missed her as much as she did.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that.” Lupe reassured. “Hell Gill’s probably just as desperate as you are.”
“Yeah. I guess you’re right.” she said with a little more confidence. She got up from her plate, grabbed an envelope, stuffed the letter in, and put it on her purse. She got ready for her shift at the factory excited knowing she would stop at the post office first.
A little over a week later the girls were walking home from their long shift at the factory. Carson walked faster than the other two. “What’s the rush Shaw?” Lupe yelled out.
“It’s mail day Lu.” Jess replied. “Plus she’s hoping to get a letter from someone special.” she joked mockingly as she elbowed Lupe and they both laughed. Carson was too far into her own thoughts to hear what her friends were joking about. I really hope she wrote back she kept repeating in her head. What if she didn’t want to hear from me? What if she- Carson shook her head trying to rid her mind of the negative thoughts. As she entered the apartment building she made a beeline for the mailboxes. She unlocked their mailbox and found two pieces of mail. One was addressed to Jess and the other was addressed to… Connor? Who’s Connor? Carson stood there confused. A couple moments later Lupe and Jess walked in.
“So did she write ya?” Jess asked.
“No.” Carson frowned. “But you have mail and I think we got someone else’s mail too? Do either of you know of a Connor?”
“Here let me see.” Lupe held her hand out. “It’s addressed to us. Should we open it?” Before any of them could spit out an answer Jess snatched the envelope out of Lupe's hands and ripped it open. She scanned it and let out a loud laugh.
“I believe this is for you…Connor.” she chuckled, handing the letter to Carson.
“Wh-what?” Carson took the letter in confusion. She quickly scanned it and realized it was from Greta. She grinned from ear to ear and could feel her face getting red on the spot.
“Don’t leave us hanging!” Lupe exclaimed.
“Sorry. It’s uh- It’s from Greta! She wrote back!” Carson beamed as a light blush appeared on her cheeks. The three of them headed up to their apartment. As soon as the door was open Carson practically ran to her room. She shut the door, turned the lamp on, and sat on the bed. She smiled as she began to read the letter.
Dear C,
It’s so good to hear from you! It’s been too long but I understand. What do you mean Charlie saw us? I thought he had gone back to Idaho? I don’t think I can trust him to not tell though. I’m so happy you have Jess and Lupe. And in Chicago huh? That must be a lot different from a farm. You work in a factory? All I can imagine is how you look in overalls. I bet you’re cute. Of course you’re cute, you’re you! Oh no! That sounds like a pizza disaster! The pizza here is amazing. If you ever come to visit, which I hope you do, I’ll have to take you out on another pizza date. I’m doing good and I miss you too. I think about you during my down time. If I’m being honest I think about you when I’m busy too. Jo’s doing fine. She just wrote me a couple weeks back. She’s staying in South Bend for now and I guess she found herself someone to come home to. I’m happy for her, she deserves someone good. Although I can’t help but feel a little jealous. I wish I had someone to come home to. Maybe one day. I hope to hear from you again.
Warm regards,
Greta
Ps. I hope the name I put on the envelope is okay. I just need to be careful.
Carson sighed in relief and chuckled to herself at the thought of Greta choosing Connor out of all the names in the world. She was happy Greta wrote back, but she couldn’t help but think including the Charlie thing was a mistake. I’ll tell her more when we’re in person she thought to herself. That was the next thing that jumped into her mind. Greta wanted to see her! She really wanted to see her! Her smile got so big it almost hurt. Before she could get lost in her thoughts a knock at her door and a pair of whispers dragged her out of dreamland.
“Leave her alone, hermano.” Lupe whispered.
“I just want to know what Greta wrote to her.” Jess replied in a hushed tone. Carson, still smiling, got up and opened the door. “You guys are loud whisperers.” she joked.
“Sorry, I tol-”
“So what did she write ya?” Jess interrupted.
“She told me that she’s happy I wrote her and that she’s doing good. She’s also glad I’m with you guys.” Carson said with a chuckle. “She said she misses me and wants me to visit.”
“So are ya?” Jess presses.
“Am I what?”
“Gonna visit? Gill clearly wants to see you! You should take some time off and see her! We’re not going anywhere.” She gestured between her and Lupe.
“I don’t know. I mean I want to. I want to so badly, but could I? I wouldn’t be here to work so you guys would lose money and-”
“We’ll be fine for a week or two.” Lupe chimed in. “Go get your thing!”