All Over Again
Chapter Two
The postal worker whistled as he walked through the LPD delivering mail to the appropriate offices. He was heading down the hall towards the commisioner's office when the district attorney, Hank Gannon stepped out of a room and offered a smile.
"How are you doing today Jim?"
"It's a good day Mr. Gannon. Would you like your mail?"
"Sure." Hank took the pile of envelopes and headed down the hall to his office. Once inside he went through the envelopes, discarding each one before finally stopping on one. He set the others down and opened it.
Dear Hank,
I'm not sure how to tell you what I need to. How does a man say good-bye to his best friend? Especially when one of them is the police commisioner and the other is the district attorney. I know you won't understand why I have to leave town. Just know that Llanview isn't the right place for me anymore.
I've included my official letter of resignation and a letter recomending that John Sykes be my replacement. I would appreciate it if you could make sure those make it to the mayor.
Take care of Lisa, buddy. She's a good woman and she loves you. And please keep an eye on Nora and Matthew for me. Don't let anything happen to them.
I'll miss you buddy, and I'll be thinking about you. Hopefully, we'll meet again someday.
Bo
P.S. Go kick some bad guy butt.
Hank sat down in a nearby chair with a sigh. He dropped the letter on his desk and closed his eyes. "It's not such a good day after all."
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"The mail is here, sir." Nigel called out as he entered Asa's study.
"Is there anything interesting?" Asa asked, not even looking up from his newspaper.
"It's mostly junk, but there is a letter from your son."
Asa looked up. "Clint? I just spoke to him yesterday and he didn't mention a letter."
"No sir. It's from the second son. Bo."
Asa stood and motioned for Nigel to hand him the letter. "Why the hell would Bo write me a letter when he could just drive over here and talk to me face to face?"
Nigel handed him the envelope. "I don't know sir."
Asa took the envelope, sat down, and ripped into it impatiently.
Dear Pa,
I wanted to tell you good-bye in person but the past couple of years haven't been great for us and I didn't want to risk us fighting over my leaving. Turns out you were right Pa, Lindsay and everyone close to her is bad news. I honestly thought Mealanie was different but obviously I was wrong.
I suppose that's the main reason for leaving Llanview. Somewhere along the way I lost myself. I don't know when, or where, or how but I did. Now, I have to find out who I really am and I can't do that with all of my friends and family around trying to help but only getting in the way.
I'll be back eventually but until then just live your life and let me worry about my own. Be a good husband to Renee. After everything you've both been through together you at least deserve to find a little happiness. Part of that will include connecting with Ben. I know you don't like him Pa but, he's your son. You and I haven't always liked each other but you always gave me a chance to prove myself to you. Ben deserves that chance too.
There is one final thing I have to ask you to do for me while I am gone. Look out for Nora and Matthew but don't pester them. Nora feels that she should make a life for Matthew with his father and we all need to respect that no matter how much we might dislike Sam. God knows that after all she's been through she deserves any happiness she can find even if it's with Sam. But I also couldn't leave town if I didn't know that she was well protected and I know that you can do that for her and for her child.
Despite all we've been through I still love you Pa. Always remember that. I'll be seeing you again someday. Take care of yourself.
All my love,
Bo
Asa slammed the paper down onto the desk and then lowered his head into his hands. Finally he looked up at Nigel. "Nigel, get me a bourbon now."
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Nora was sitting at her desk working at her laptop when she heard the mail slip through the slot in the door and fall to the floor. She stood up and stepped into the living room just as Matthew appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Their eyes met and both smiled before racing to beat each other to the mail. Matthew got there first and grabbed the it up but Nora quickly scooped him up into her arms. Both were laughing hysterically when Nora plopped down on the couch and grabbed the mail away from Matthew.
"Let Mommy see what's in the mail Matthew."
"Is my new Disney Adventures magazine in there Mommy?" Matthew asked as he tried to grab the mail back away from her.
Nora held it out of his reach as she sorted through it. "Nope, no such luck little guy. Oh but look, here's a letter from Uncle Bo."
Nora scooted Matthew off her lap and next to her on the couch. He picked up a truck off the coffee table and started driving it up and down her leg. She smiled at him and placed and arm around his shoulder and kissed the top of his head before opening Bo's letter.
Dear Nora,
I wasn't sure that I should write to you when I decided to leave town. I must have torn up three other versions of this before I decided I couldn't leave town without saying good-bye. I don't know where I am going but I'll find a place to settle down and try to reconstruct my life.
I'm going to miss you very much Nora but I have to go. I can't stand to see you move on with a life that doesn't include me. And it would be completely selfish of me to ask you not to move on with your life when I was the one that pushed you away in the first place. Of course, that doesn't stop the hurt. The hurt that I have been trying to escape for the past three years. I tried to escape through emotions, pouring all my time into trying to find soemone that could even get close to what I felt for you. That hasn't worked though so I am going to try the physical escape instead.
I guess my theory is that it will be easier not to think of you if I'm not constantly running into you at the station, the park, or the diner. It think it will also help if I don't see memories of you no matter where I look. And who knows, maybe someday when I come back to Llanview and run into you, Sam and Matthew it will only sting a little instead of feeling like my heart's been ripped out.
Take care of yourself and Matthew, Nora. And make a life that makes you both happy. You deserve at least that much. I'll be thinking of you both.
Love,
Bo
P.S. If you need me Nora... just whistle. You know how to whistle don't you? Just put your lips together and blow.
Nora quietly put the letter down as Matthew moved the truck up on to her arm. A moment later Nora whistled quietly. Matthew stopped the truck and sat up on his knees and hugged her.
"Why ya whistlin' Mommy?"
Nora looked at him sadly before returning the hug. "No reason Matthew. No reason at all."
To be continued...
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