Misery in Happiness

My Dearest Lynni Lou,

I thank you so much for your letter. It brightened up my dreary day. No matter how dark it is outside, you are my sunshine. Every letter you send to me is cherished. I reread them often. And though I know the content never changes, I still read in anticipation of the happenings at home. I hope your new kitten brings you joy, and Mother and Father are well.

My studies are all the same. I'm not learning much but Mrs. Gallum says that as I learn, it all gets locked in my brain so I can use it when I'm older. I highly doubt I will ever need to remember some scientific equation on making glass when all I really want to do is read all day. Perhaps I will become an historian and write my own history books that will make children laugh. That would be much more fun than stuffy old Mr. Pitts rattling on about some war that I'll never remember. But it doesn't matter. I must tell you about a boy I met.

I know, I was in love with Xavier last month and I thought he was the one, but wait until I tell you about Garreth. He's delightful! And we have so much in common. He's Mrs. Gallum's son and he came to the school for his winter break. All three weeks of it!

Xavier ended up liking Mildred anyway. I don't know what he sees in her, but I don't care. I'm glad I was able to take a chance with Garreth. He's wonderful.

Lynni, I do hope that when you come to visit in the Spring, he will be here so you can meet him. He said he would try to be here to meet you. We've been able to sneak off and spend much of his Winter break together and we've learned so much about each other that it feels as though I've known him for years. Can you believe that we both like the same music, and we both love bananas and honey? No one else likes that. We love the same stories, the same sweets, the same animals, the same activities, purple is both of our favorite color. And our birthdays are 5 days apart! Our favorite number! We even have the same thoughts at the same time. And 5 days after we started talking we knew how we felt but we waited until the 6th day to tell that we loved each other. He completely caught me off guard with his declaration that afternoon! It took me a few hours to let it all sink in. But I knew it to be true, so that evening I said it back to him. I was so afraid I would stumble over my words, which I did a bit. He laughed and kissed me on the forehead and I just melted.

If only you had a horrible fiance that mother and father would not approve of, then my Garret would look like a prince in comparison! I know what they will say...we're too young, he's not good enough for their little girl, this is merely puppy love, I need to focus on my schooling... But I don't care. We'll elope if we have to. We're both almost done with school and almost of age. We can make it work. Right?

And I don't want to marry Mr. Stuffy Trousers...Fain Hegerson. Mother and Father say he's the best choice for me. But I can't marry him. He's too boring. He talks like an old banker. I don't understand anything he says. I've begged them to change their minds but it seems as though he could very well be my fate... unless I can run away to be with Garret.

True love always wins. I hold on to that as my hope.

Oh Linni Lou, I didn't send off this letter to you! I lost it. So much has happened since I first wrote this a month ago. Garret and I are still together and he is back at his school. We send letters to each other as best we can. But Mrs. Gallum found out about us and has forbade him to come here so we can't see each other. I haven't seen him in 2 months and I can't see him anymore and I don't know what I'll do. She threatened to tell Mother and Father about us if she finds out there has been any other communication between us. Luckily, she won't have someone check a letter that I send to my dearest sister. Will you please send the enclosed letter to him? Pretty please? And perhaps he can send a return letter to you as well? I will be forever grateful to you. It would be so wonderful if you received a letter from him before you came to visit.

I am looking forward to seeing you this Aprils end and walk arm and arm and show you around. I've missed you terribly. It feels like years since I've seen you. I even miss Mother and Father a little. Will you bring your kitten with you? I'm sure he's grown so much by now and I'd love to finally meet him.

Linni I do hope you are able to help me. I miss him something dreadful and I look forward to being able to seeing him again... someday.

I love you so much and I can't wait until I can give you a huge hug! Please kiss your kitten and Mother and Father for me. Until April!

Your darling little sister,

Kitty