Why With You

Four years after Nicole left, Sean lay on his bed looking up at the

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle posters on his ceiling. He imagined he was a

superhero, someone that swooped in and saved Nicole from bad guys.

Her most recent letter sat crumpled beside him on the bed. He was stirred

up with anger, with testosterone, in that impotent, can't do anything with it,

fifteen-year-old way. He picked up the letter and read it again.

Sean,

Sorry it's been so long. I love your letters. Thanks for sending them. I

promise we'll have a phone call someday. My aunt is touchy about long

distance and she says writing is good for you anyway.

Guess what? I've got my very first boyfriend!