The Melody of Space

Wasn’t that long ago that I wrote to you. For the first time, that is. It’s been forever since the last. Someday you’ll hear from me again. Don’t know when, but you will. Know that you’re forever on my mind, and that I miss you every day.
Aria’s footsteps sloshed through mostly-shallow puddles on her way home from school. The deeper puddles caused water to soak into her worn, canvas shoes. A year’s worth of use, most of it spent walking to and from school, turned her bright blue shoes to a dull grey. Normally her mom would have bought Aria a new pair of shoes by now. Maybe two or three, even. But that was before her father died.
Remember going to the park together to feed the ducks? Was always my favorite thing to do with you. Everything felt so peaceful. Worries of the world slipped away, and all that was left…was you. Hope you’re doing okay. Don’t worry about me — no, that’s not enough — don’t worry about anything.
Three years after her father’s death, Aria entered high school. If anyone assumed her school was a satellite office of some strict government institution, nobody would correct them. A rectangular box with flat walls, no trimmings, and windows every ten feet, it did nothing but inspire boredom and mundanity. Still, it was a safe place for Aria to be. The situation at home was getting worse as her mom slipped further into depression. Three years and she hadn’t remarried. Three years and she hadn’t dated. Three years and all she’d done is dwell. Eager to get away from that environment, Aria found a new outlook thanks to after-school clubs and her friends.
You know, I still keep a piece of you with me. It’s a pocket knife I found in your closet. Not very useful up here. Few things are. Don’t look at it as often as I used to. Time’s starting to…I don’t want to forget who you are…who you were. If I get rid of it I’m afraid… sorry, my tears are going to stain this and I want to make sure you can read it. Love you.
Aria’s mom died her senior year after succumbing to the depression. Aria found her in their living room. Her scream was so loud neighbors ten houses down ran to see what happened. Blue and red lights obscured the sunset, and Aria cried. A kind social worker came to her house the next day. He was a bit of good in the middle of tragedy. Her inheritance wasn’t much, but it was enough to get her off the ground and on towards a promising life. A friend’s family would watch over her until graduation. After that, she went on to college. After that, she found herself among the stars.
This is going to sound odd, but everyone here assures me this will work. If all goes well, this should reach you about five days after you receive your diagnosis. I wish it could be different this time, but it won’t. I need you to know that I made it through. So much pain and anguish and times when I felt like I couldn’t hang on. Through it all, I kept going. I graduated high school with honors. I was top of my class at college. Now I’m…well I don’t exactly know where I am. But I’m here. And so are you. I’m going to write you again and again. So many letters. Not entirely sure how they’ll reach you, but, if this works, they will. I gotta go. Time for my shift to start. I love you, dad. Hugs to mom and me.
~Love, Aria
Aria’s adventure continues in “Long for the Stars”
Chapter One: The Further We Drift from Home
Chapter Two: We Will See Each Other
Chapter Three: In Dreams We Fly
Chapter Four: Joy Near and Awake
Chapter Five: Hearts Open to Your Voice
Chapter Six: Stuck in Time Together
Chapter Seven: I No Longer Feel the Light
Epilogue: Refrain of the Vale
