Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
She falls asleep after giving me two letters, but hours later she awakes and gives me one more.
It takes a week, because on some days she doesn’t wake up at all and the doctors have to run more tests, but she manages to spell out a message.
I need a favor. Letters.
43
EASTON
The handcuffs on my wrists are too loose.
The officer who fastened them kept looking as if he was embarrassed to do so.
I refuse to complain about that, though…
I’m currently sitting in the inmate phone bank, across from Scarlett and Tully’s father, separated by glass. I’ve rejected most visitor requests with the exception of my dad and my lawyer, and I’m grateful that the local news is banned on all the jail’s televisions.
“We may have to consider some specialty care for Scarlett given something that came to light this morning.” His voice is soft. “I mean, she’s not a complete vegetable and we won't know all our options just yet, but… Tully is able to move around more now. I figured you’d want to know.”
I say nothing.
“Our entire town and the university is on your side,” he says. “You had a totally normal reaction in defending someone you loved.”
“This new prosecutor is just trying to make a name for herself. She'll never get support from anyone after this, and the new guy will definitely get you out of here if the trial doesn’t do it first.”
“I think me being in here is for the best.”
"You need to be playing on that field, son. That’s what’s best for you and your future.”
“I don’t have a future.” I shake my head holding back tears at the thought of not having more days with Scarlett. "I don't have anything to live for anymore.
“Don’t say that,” he says. “I doubt there’s any jury who will convict you once you plead not guilty and go to trial.”
“I am pleading guilty,” I say. “My lawyer worked out a deal for three to ten on assault charges. Medium security prison. That beats risking a jury and a mandatory twenty five to thirty murder charge in Angola Prison.”
“What? Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“I really did try to kill him,” I say. “I wanted him to die.”
“Don’t say that, son…”
“He took away the only thing I had left to live for.” I shrug. “I won’t lie on a stand about being sorry.”
“Easton, listen to me.”
“Thank you for the update on Scarlett and Tully,” I say. “If you ever want to talk about anything else, write to me from here on out, okay? I don’t want anyone visiting me in prison.”
“Easton, wait.”
“Guard!” I hang up the phone and stand to my feet.
“Easton, wait!”
The guard unlocks the door that leads back to the jail and I walk away.
44
Two Months later
Dear Mother,
We took you off our approved visitors’ list today.
Our lives are not content, and we’re worth son much more than likes, comments, and clicks.
We will call you when we wish to see you, and you are not allowed to bring your cell phone anywhere near us because we don’t trust you.
The university is allowing us to defer our scholarships until we’re ready to return, so we plan to move in to a house together for awhile.
Please respect our wishes & tell Dad to expect a similar letter soon (if he’s not too busy with his mistress, that is)
Sincerely,
Tully & Scarlett
I enclose the letter into an envelope and secure a stamp onto its front. There are several more letters I have to send on behalf of my sister, but there’s one I can no longer ignore…
45
Dear Easton,
All this time, all this fucking time, I guess I was always meant to be collateral damage, a means to an end so you could move on in life with my sister.
MY. SISTER.
If she dies, I want you to know that you'll have just as much blood on your hands as that reckless drunk driver since we were arguing about you seconds before the crash.
I don’t know why I'm even writing you this letter.
Tully
Dear Tully,
First, it's good to hear from you and nice to know that Scarlett is still on this side of the ground.
Second, I'm sorry if I made you feel you were collateral damage.
I fell in love with Scarlett without realizing it, and I should have told you that, but we were already trapped in a web of sponsorships & obligations.
I didn't believe you would understand, and Scarlett didn't either.
If I could go back and do things differently, I would.
If you can’t be civil with me, that's fine.
Just send me updates on Scarlett.
Sincerely,
Easton
Dear Tully,
It's been a month since I sent you my last letter. Please give me an update on Scarlett.
Sincerely,
Easton
Dear Easton,
One of her kidneys failed, and she slipped into a coma...
I found a few letters Scarlett wrote to you but never sent. Do you want those? I'll send you other updates as I'm able to.