TRISTIAN
I take the letter along with the other stuff inside .
Mom is reading a book so I ask her " Mom do you know anybody by the name of Mr Lancali ?" . Mom is looking at me with a confused face " Mr Lancali? I don't know anybody by that name . Why ?"
" No its just that we have a letter adressed to Mr Lancali by some Evaline Cavaness ."
" No Tris , I don't know anybody by those names . Maybe it is to the wrong address . Or ask Dad maybe he knows ? "
" But isn't Dad already asleep? "
" Ask him tomorrow then . I'm pretty sure it's sent to the wrong adress . Send it back tomorrow . And go to sleep now you have college tomorrow ."
Leave it to my Mom to nag me for everything. I close the door after entering my room and place the letter on my study table . As I am sitting on the bed I can't help but feel curious about the letter . I know I shouldn't read it since it is adressed to someone else . But nobody would know if I did read . But its wrong and totally a low blow .
I made up my mind to leave it alone . I will not touch the letter . I will ask Dad tomorrow and then if he says he doesn't know I will send it back . So many I will's . I have a feeling this resistance will not last for long . I should go to sleep . Sleep makes me forget everything .
My mind refuses to stop questioning the what if's . I look at the time and its almost two a.m . I didn't get even a wink of sleep . I just can't forget about the letter . Why the hell am I so nosy ? . I never get in other people's business. What the hell is wrong with me .
Fuck this shit . I quickly take the covers off me and take silent steps towards the letter . Its like I am committing a major crime and I need to quite and walk like a ballerina. My hand stops one inch away from the letter . I shouldn't. But My mind will keep on thinking endless stuff and its not even my stuff . I give in and finally open the letter .
Dear author ,
I don't usually write messages like this, but after finishing I Fell in Love with Hope, I felt compelled to reach out. Your book didn't just touch me—it stayed with me. It felt like someone finally put into words the things I never knew how to say.
Reading it was like sitting in a quiet room with someone who just gets it. The way you wrote about pain, love, and loss—especially the parts that don't have neat endings—felt so real. There were moments I had to stop and just breathe because a line cut too deep or felt too close. But somehow, in all of that heaviness, there was still light. Still something beautiful.
One line that really stayed with me was:
"Because you don't lose someone once. You lose them hearing a song that reminds you of their smile. Passing an old landmark. Laughing at a joke they would've laughed at. You lose them infinitely."
That line hit me hard. It made me realize how grief isn't just a one-time thing—it's a thousand little moments that remind you they're gone. But it also made me think that maybe those moments are a way of keeping them alive, in a way.
Honestly, your story made me feel less alone. Like somewhere out there, someone else had felt the same kind of ache and chose to turn it into something meaningful.
So thank you—for being honest, for not sugarcoating it, and for giving us this story. I'll be thinking about it for a long time.
With all my heart,
Evaline Cavaness
As I am reaching the end of the letter . I feel like i read something personal . This person wrote a Fan letter to this Author . I feel like a jerk now . This is why you should control your curiousity . I should have minded my own business .
The rest of the night passes with me going between consciousness and unconsciousess . As the alarm rings , I feel too tired to get up as I didn't get much sleep .
Someones knocking on the door and I know its my mom's daily routine to check up on me . " I am up Mom . I'll be down in a bit ."
" Alright." I hear the fading footsteps and finally get off my bed . I am strenching a bit too get rid of the tiredness and the uncomfortable stiffness .I notice the letter , opened and its contents out to torment me for my mistake . I should maybe reply back and say sorry . Maybe I should do that . I feel like a total jerk who has no Conscience . Maybe I am one .
" Tristian , Cade called and told me to tell you that he won't be coming today . And asked you to carry out the practice . " Dad is sipping his morning tea . " Ah huh , I see . Why didn't he call me directly? " I take a bowl and kiss Mom a morning kiss . I put some cereals and then add milk and make my way towards the dining table .
" Yeah , he said that your phone was out of range and that he tried calling it a couple of time's ."
" Oh I put it on silent yesterday ."
" Alright. Go check on him after college ."
" Yeah I will ." Dad doesn't say much but I knew what he meant . The break up would be hard on Cade .
" Dad do you know someone named Mr Lancali ? "
" No I don't . That is a really weird name . Why ? "
I eat my breakfast as I tell him about the letter and he looks at me with a frown when I tell him that I read the letter .
" That was very unmanly of you , I hope you know that ."
" Yeah Dad I do . So I decided to send a reply and apologise. "
" My my who are you ? Did you finally develop a brain somehow . Where is all this righteousness coming from ?"
" Dad . Please stop making cringe jokes . It just creeps me out that I am your son . I can't handle your bad attempt at jokes ."
He places his cup down and rolls up his sleeve " I think you really need some ..."
Oh no I think he is gonna do it this time . He is gonna snap my neck into half .
"... balancing skills . Cause you suck at it . The milk from your bowl is pouring out ."
I quickly balance the bowl . My hand was on one side holding it down and pouring the milk on the on the tabe " Mom is gonna kill me . Atleast it didn't get on my shirt ."
" Not my problem kiddo . I am leaving . I suggest you clean up the mess before your mom comes down after getting ready ."
I clean up the mess and lose my appetite as well . So I just grab a banana and head to college . I am still in my first year so the difficult times haven't caught up with me yet . I hope they are far away as possible. The struggles come slowly and hit me less painfully.
Now I have another pain in my ass , taking control of the band today . I hate being in control . I mess things up . I am not the best person to take decisions. Usually they end up being wrong and shitty .
I noticed one thing I curse a lot when I am talking to myself in my head . Thats ...whatever .
Driving to college I can't help but wonder about this Evaline Cavaness and her letter which is tucked inside my bag . Today as soon as I come back home , I am writing a reply ..