Closed When Paths Cross Again Solo

Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: @Lyanna Oak Date: 01/13/25

Word Count: 986

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Avery didn't know what to expect when she got the letter this morning. She didn't even want to know what it said, really. It was probably just news from home that she was going to be somewhere other than with her parents over the summer. If it was, then it was typical. Ever since Avery's best friend had died, and ever since the last time she visited Wales, things had been different at home. At first, Avery didn't care to think about it. She was young, so she just thought her parents were busy. But now that she was older, things changed. Avery had read and reread the letter from her cousin, Dylan so many times that it was beginning to wear from the constant opening and closing. He was the one that had opened her eyes to the truth. Something was wrong, and she needed to figure out what. She wanted to ask her dad, but that wouldn't end well. She didn't even know if she could trust him anymore since she had no idea what her mom had forced him into doing. She also wondered why her mom had changed. It was baffling. She seemed so happy to see her family every time they went to Wales, but now, even at the mention of their names, she gets angry or leaves the room. Avery had sent a letter to her cousin a few days ago to let him know that she missed him and she didn't know why her mother was acting this way. She also told him that her mother was acting different. It was as if she was becoming. . . distant? She hoped Dylan would be able to understand because he was the only person Avery could trust in her family. Especially right now when her mother was acting weird. Maybe she has something to hide, or maybe something bad did happen to her. Avery knew it was now or never to open the letter. She carefully pulled the letter from her book bag and gently ripped the seal that held it. Then she opened it. She was surprised to find a picture inside of her and Dylan when they were little. They looked so happy. Those were the times that Avery remembered. Finally Avery decided to set down the picture and look at the letter. She decided she was going to hang the picture in her dorm, so she would remember the happier times of her life. She was shocked to find it from her father. She thought he was too busy to write to her, but things must have changed. Dear Avery, I know that I said I would be unable to write to you, but this is an urgent matter. Things have not been going well here since I last saw you on your birthday. Your mother has been digging herself deeper into her work saying that she is about to uncover something that will change her life. I am afraid, though, that she is only endangering herself. I know that this isn't what you wanted to hear. I am very sorry about that. I am also very sorry that you weren't able to come home for the holidays. Your mother and I missed you dearly. I also know that you don't want to come back to here. I understand that you still love Wales. Even though you don't remember our old house. I didn't want to write this letter to just tell you about your mother. I wanted to write this because I love you, and I want to know how you are doing. I got a letter from your aunt a few weeks ago that explained everything, and why your mother has gone off the deep end. It is too long to write in this letter, and I am afraid your mother may find this. I also understand that you want to spend the summer with you cousin, Dylan, in Wales. As far as I'm concerned, it's okay with me. I sent a letter to your aunt letting her know that I will allow you to stay there for the summer. It will probably be safer for you there anyway. I will try to come and visit over the summer. Especially if your mother gets even busier. I too, miss the old days and how things used to be. Before I go, I wanted to give you this picture of you and Dylan right before we moved. You two were so close, and I couldn't stand separating you two. Again, I love you, and I want you to know that I will try and send you more letters in the future. I miss you. Sincerely, Dad https://i.postimg.cc/DZD9sN78/image.png Avery was speechless. So her aunt knew the truth about her mother. Now Avery was curious. She was going to have to question her aunt the next time she saw her. She wanted to know the truth. The REAL truth. Not the sugarcoated kind she used to get when she was little. She leaned back against the stone wall. Contemplating what the letter had said. She closed her eyes. She could almost image the old times. They were fuzzy, like old memories are, but at least they were there. In her heart. Where they would always be. Avery couldn't believe that the answers to all her questions were right in front of her all along. No wonder her mother didn't allow her aunt and cousin to send letters. She knew that Avery would eventually find out the truth. A truth that she obviously wanted to keep hidden. But why? She was also excited. She would finally get to spend the summer with her cousin! Maybe she could even convince Lya to come with her. Even for a short time. That would make it the summer of a lifetime! She couldn't wait to see what the summer would have in store for her.

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽