Love Letters Read Free

what’s impressive
about all of this was that, just a few days ago, they were already withered and
seemingly dead. Now, they were alive and again, bursting with potential.
    It was never a
secret to the family that Lisa’s mom loved the park. In fact, it was one of the
reasons why they moved into the neighborhood. According to her, the park felt
unpretentious and welcoming. And she said she had this feeling that as long as
it was around and in reach, it would give her family a daily reminder of hope.
Lisa recalled how she often went to the park with her mom when she was younger.
And how they would either play around or lounge under the shade of an oak tree
when they were feeling tired. She thought about how they’d usually set up a
blanket on this hill with a view of the pond and sometimes bring along a picnic
basket of comfort foods. And how when she were feeling lazy, her mom would let
her nap on her lap and just allow the afternoon pass as if they didn’t have
anything else better to do.
    On her way there,
Lisa remembered how it took about a year before she was able to step foot again
in that park after her parent’s death. She was still dealing with the memories
she had acquired on the drive back home from the hospital when she saw the park
and remembered what it meant to her mother. Yes, it was a sad time. But looking
back through the rear view mirror she saw the lone oak tree on the hill,
standing in its full glory, crowned by the sun. And immediately understood what
she needed to take away from the experience.
    On the very same
spot she used to spend time with her mother, Lisa spread out a small cover and
put down her things, which included a netbook, a copy of Love In The Time Of Cholera and the compilation she had taken
from the restaurant. She then pierced the ground with a steel hook which she
utilized as a tying post for the dog. And because it was still a bit cold from
the passing winter, she decided to put on a light sweater before she sat down.
    As she took the
atmosphere in, she noticed that the air had definitely changed. There was no
doubt that spring had arrived. And in view of the slowly thawing lake, Lisa
gave a sigh of relief for what she forecasted would be a beautiful day.
    *            
*             *
    After thinking
about it, Lisa decided to write a love story that was set in the park, in memory
of her parents. Although they didn’t exactly meet and fall in love there, she
decided she would weave parts of their life into the characters she was going
to create and make the park their romantic setting. Not only did it simplify
the plot creation process for her, it also made it more personal. So she went
to work right away. And as she slowly picked up momentum, a Frisbee flew by and
got Rosco excited. The next thing she knew, the dog
was already chasing after it at lightning speed. The ruffled Lisa tried running
after him but the puny mutt was just too fast for her unprepared feet.
Fortunately, someone was able to get a hold of his leash and calm him down
before he got lost. As the stranger made his way up to Lisa, who was panting
miserably, she began to feel a sense of alarm creep in.
    “Cute dog,” the guy
said.
    “Thanks John,” Lisa
replied as she hurriedly retrieved her pet.
    “Oh, so you know
me. I didn’t think you did.”
    “Everyone knows
you. It’s hard to miss.”
    “I guess. So why
are you here? Aren’t you going on a Spring Break trip?”
    “I should ask you
the same question,” she countered with a slightly incensed tone, while backing
away. “Aren’t you supposed to be driving to the lake with your friends?”
    John Mitchell was surprisingly
still in town, with time to spare, as he was in jogging clothes.
    “Nah, I had to
bail. I had more pressing matters to attend to…” he said, as he followed Lisa
up the hill. “Wait, how did you know?”
    Aware that she had
unwittingly trapped herself in a dangerous discussion, Lisa deflected