Dear Aaron

by Mariana Zapata

Aaron shot out another laugh. “No, I know it’s you. We’ve been on the phone… four minutes and you’ve got me laughing more than I have in weeks. It couldn’t be anybody else but you, Ru.”

“I know everything I need to know now,” he stated evenly. “What’s that?” I asked. “We get along fine.” “We’ve been on the phone—” I pulled it away from my face and watched the counter on the screen. “Five minutes.” “I know and you made me laugh more in five minutes than I have with everybody else in the last year combined.” He had no idea how those words affected me. No idea at all, and I could never tell him.

How the hell could I let anything happen to the one person who’s made me laugh when it was the last thing I wanted to do?”

“You could’ve told me your mom and sister are the ugly ones in the family.”

“I was a goner from the first time you gave me hell.” Aaron smiled. “Maybe even before then.”

You’re my Ruby, and you have been for a long time.”

“Can I come in?” “You don’t have to ask, Rubes,” he said in a chiding tone. “Like I’d ever tell you I don’t want to see you.”