When college professors Poe Dameron and Rey Skywalker meet at an Agriculture and Bioscience conference, the connection is undeniable. However, they live 3000 miles apart. So begins an old fashioned ‘pen pal’ relationship, as they spend the next two years sharing their lives with each other via the written word and snail mail. When tragedy strikes, will their unique relationship survive?
Day 5 – Damerey Week Rating Teen
Prompts: Hurt/Comfort, Blue, Write a Story as a Series of Letters To And From Certain Characters
June 7
Holà from Guatemala!
I told you I’d make it here some day! I took your advice and am staying in Panajachel. It’s much more affordable than anywhere on the coast and there are far less tourists. I’ll be here for three days, then I’m taking a bus up to Tikal. I am so excited to see the pyramids! I got here yesterday and have already met some wonderful people, both locals and fellow travelers, yet I’ve never felt pressured to do any activities or socialize, for which I am grateful. I’m here to relax! I do wish my Spanish was better, though. It would be so much better if you were here with me. Some day?
Speaking of… this trip is only making me want to take a year off and travel the world. But I don’t want to do it by myself. Hint. Hint.
Oh, I have to tell you a story about one of my students right before finals! He ---
Happy on Vacation,
Rey
June 15
Dear Rey,
I am so happy to hear you are finally taking some time for yourself and even happier knowing you are enjoying Guatemala! I got the postcard you sent shortly after your last letter, and I have to admit it makes me a little jealous. I haven’t been down there to see my mom’s family in over ten years. I just know you loved Tikal, and I do wish I was with you, and not just so I can be your translator! I hope you took a lot of pictures, and when you can send some to me! I know they will make me even more jealous, but that way I can imagine having been with you, too.
Your story about your student reminded me of something one of mine did the last week of classes. She----
Wishing I was in Guatemala,
Poe
June 25
Dear, Poe
In trying to keep busy the rest of this summer, I decided to try my hand at golf. Do you play? I’ve found that I’m actually fairly good at it. I like that it’s a quiet game and of course I like that it’s outside. I’ve only ever played mini-golf before. One of my colleagues used to play professionally and asked me to try it with her just before I left for Guatemala, so we met up yesterday. I actually did better than she did! Beginner’s luck? Anyway, I wondered what I would do when winter came, and she says a lot still play, no matter how wet it gets. I guess when you live in Seattle, you just learn to not mind getting wet. Having grown up in Tucson, I’m still learning how to do this!
Hey, have you heard anything about that updated edition of What the World Eats? I was wondering if it was worth getting or if it’s just a waste of money to switch over from the old one. Lord knows I don’t even make my classes read it all the way through---
Talk to you soon,
Rey
July 7
Dear Rey,
So, I’m going to be honest with you and let you know that I just got back from a date. It was the woman I mentioned to you a while back, the one that used to work at the ag lab? Anyway, we keep running into each other at the laundromat (I know! I know! I need to get my own washer and dryer!) and she’s been super friendly and pretty and I thought I might as well ask. I hate saying it, but she would not shut up about herself! I mean, I want to know about my date, but I’d think they’d want to know some about me, too. I never got a chance to offer her anything about me. Of course, she already seemed to know a lot, like what street I lived on and where I did my shopping. Should I be worried? Anyway, I know we talked about how our friendship shouldn’t interfere with our dating lives, but I really wish you were here. There. I said it. You can berate me all you want, but I’m just gonna pretend you’re my girl and just not worry about dating anymore. I hate it.
As for your question about the book, I’m not going to bother getting the new addition. As far as I can see, nothing has really changed---
Yours (whether you like it or not),
Poe
July 10
My dear, dear Poe,
Use my name and picture and tell people I’m your girl all you want. Not much I can do about it all the way out here, is there? And to be honest, I don’t mind at all. I’ve already thrown your name around when obnoxious guys keep hitting on me. If you don’t mind, send me a selfie and I can show that to people, too. Get the word out. You do still have my number, don’t you?
You know, it would be a whole lot easier to correspond and share pictures and stuff on Facebook. Oh, wait! That’s right. You don’t have Facebook! It’s a good thing I can read your deplorable handwriting. Honestly, though, I love getting letters from you. Please don’t stop! I miss getting snail mail so much and looking for your letters really keeps me motivated when things get too stressful.
Hey, what day do classes start for you? ----
Yours (and yes, I’m okay with that),
Rey
July 19
My dearest Rey,
That sounds really old fashioned, doesn’t it? But I kinda like it! I know you’re a history buff, so hopefully you do, too.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I have a chance to get out of town for a while before classes start. Just for a weekend, but I was wondering if… well, if you could maybe meet me somewhere? Maybe we could both fly out to Denver and drive up to Aspen. You always said you wanted to visit it in the summer. Maybe you’ll finally get me on a horse!
Please let me know! I’d really love to see you again and I know once classes start again, things will get too busy. I’m already getting my class requests in----
Hope to hear from you soon!
Poe
July 30
Rey,
I hope things aren’t getting crazy busy for you. I don’t think it’s ever been this long in between your letters. Maybe you’ve just been busy? I hope. I hope it wasn’t my suggestion to meet up in Denver? Please, don’t be afraid to say ‘no.’ I won’t be upset and I don’t want to do anything to make you upset or uncomfortable.
Maybe you’d like to come visit me here in Miami instead? I would love for you to finally meet Beebee and I know you love to visit the ‘warmer’ beaches. Or maybe I should just shut up about meeting up. I know it’s been two years since we met in person and I’ve gotten comfortable with this form of communication, and maybe you have, too, and don’t want anything to change. I respect that. I don’t want to lose this, so please, if this is how you want things to stay, this is how they will stay.
Still yours, even if just in writing,
Poe
August 7
Rey,
I have to admit, I’m starting to worry. I don’t want to panic and call; I’ve had your number all this time and I’ve never used it. But if I don’t hear from you soon, either by letter or by phone, I will.
Please, just let me know you’re okay. I don’t care if we continue this, I just need to know you’re okay.
Poe
August 10
Poe,
I’m so sorry it’s taken this long for me to respond and I am so sorry to worry you!
My dad and my stepmom were involved in a serious car accident on July 22. My stepmom passed in the accident, but my dad hung on for a long while on life support. I’ve been with him in Tucson since the accident, and I didn’t even get any of the mail from home until a few days ago.
This morning, my dad took a turn for the worse. The doctors officially listed him as brain dead, and I gave the okay to take him off of life support.
I don’t even know how to feel. I’m just empty inside. He was my best friend. I’m truly all alone now.
I don’t know when I’ll be back in Seattle. The funeral isn’t until next week; he’s got a lot of friends in the military, so I’m going to wait until next Wednesday for the service. Then I have to straighten out his and Mara’s estate.
I’ll text you when I get home. I might not go back to work for a while. I don’t know…
Thank you for everything,
Rey
Mt. Calvary Cemetery
August 20
Rey Skywalker sat on a folding chair at the front of the group of people that had come to her father’s funeral. A part of them, but not. She listened dry eyed as the priest finished the prayers, glancing at the fresh grave of her stepmother on one side of her father’s grave, then at the far older one that belonged to her mother, Calista, on the other side. She gave a brief thought that she should maybe buy a plot of her own down here for the future. Even though she did not consider Tucson home anymore, this is where the only people who had ever truly loved her now permanently resided.
When the priest was finished, a uniformed soldier began playing ‘taps’ on a trumpet, then two others folded the flag that lay on top of her father’s coffin with absolute precision. One of the soldiers carried the flag to Rey, kneeling before her and handing it to her.
“On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”
Rey accepted the flag with a small nod, then hugged it to her chest, pressing it tight against the blue sundress she had chosen to wear; it had been a favorite of her fathers. The young man rose and walked away. Silence reigned for a long moment, then the priest spoke, inviting everyone back to the church for the reception. Rey stood, swaying ever so slightly on her heels. Lando Calrissian, one of her father’s oldest friends, grabbed her elbow lightly from his position next to her. She smiled at him, then nodded, letting him know she was okay. He let her go and she moved out from under the awning into the hot desert sun. She walked just far enough away so that those who were not going to the reception could come and give her their condolences. Only a few did. Lando and his partner waited by the car that had brought her here, ready to take her back to the church.
She felt numb. She didn’t want to go back. She just wanted to go home. Home to Seattle. Or even Miami would be preferable. Poe had offered, but had he meant it?
Almost as if her thoughts had conjured him, Rey looked up to see Poe.
He was standing by himself off to the far side, away from the main group, but still close enough to have heard the service. She felt her mouth drop open, and exhaled a soft “Oh.”
Without any more thought, she moved quickly toward him. He met her halfway, and before she knew it, she was in his arms. She wrapped one arm around him, still holding the flag which was now pinned between them. The tears started falling immediately and his arms tightened around her. “You’re here,” she whimpered.
She could both hear and feel him whispering in her hair, “It’s all right. I’m here.”
How had he known, she wondered? How had he known she needed him? That he was the only one that could make things even remotely better? That he was the only one that could take away the loneliness?
He held her for a long time, gently rubbing her back and her shoulder, kissing her hair and whispering comforting words. Finally, she felt strong enough to move away. She looked at him and gave him a watery smile. He brought both hands up to wipe the moisture off her cheeks. She reached into her pocket for a tissue and wiped her nose.
“Thanks a lot, Dameron,” she said softly. “I hadn’t cried yet today.”
He gave her a sweet smile. “Sorry,” he said. “Something tells me you needed to.”
She bit her lip and nodded. “Maybe. My head doesn’t hurt anymore, anyway.”
“See, it’s a good thing I came,” he grinned. “Poe Dameron, maker of tears and healer of headaches.”
She smiled back. “I am so glad you’re here.”
He reached up to tuck some loose strands of hair behind her ear. “I’m here for as long as you want me.”
She tilted her head. “Forever?”
His eyes lit up and he took a deep breath. “Only if you mean it.”
“I mean it,” she whispered.
“Then we better figure out what school we want to transfer to,” he said.
“Or we could just take a year off and travel?”
“Oooh, I like that idea!” Poe declared as he took her arm and started leading her toward Lando and Lo. “And maybe I can start writing that book I’ve been meaning to get to?”
She gave him a side-eye. “You going to use a computer for that, or write it by hand?”
“Very funny,” he responded.
Rey laughed, hugging him with one arm, the flag with the other.
It is an amazing feeling, realizing one isn’t alone. Her heart ached knowing that Poe would never be able to meet her dad, but she knew they would have gotten along wonderfully. Luke had known about her ‘pen pal,’ after all. And he had hinted more than once that that ‘Florida professor’ was the man she was meant to be with.
Rey was more than happy to prove her father right.
THE END
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