Ward's Castle

* * *

Dear Mr. Mason:

Thank you for forwarding my college acceptance letter. I am really grateful for all that you have done for me these past two years. Despite the admission, my request is to take a gap year and come back. I miss Beau. Please consider this request.

Very truly yours,

Lila

* * *

“Colin.”

“Yes, Hendrix?”

“Go and fetch Lila from her school. She wishes to come home.”

A smile breaks across Colin’s face. “Really? I’ll go right now.”

After Colin leaves, I turn my chair to stare out the window. Lila is returning home after two full years of boarding school. I’m not going to survive.