Six Months Later…
The mail had just arrived and Peter came running through the door with a stack of mail. One letter in particular brought a bright smile to Peter's face.
"Hey guys, it's a letter from mom. You all want to hear it?" Peter asked, waving it in the air.
"Sure, what's mother Tork have to say?" Davy asked curiously.
Peter opened the letter and began to read.
Dear boys,
I hope all is well with you. How is the band doing? Playing lots of gigs I hope.
I just got promoted to head waitress today. I received a whole ten cent raise on the hour. It’s more responsibility, but nothing I can’t handle.
Nick is having a wonderful senior year. He is hoping that Coco and Mrs. Dolenz can fly out here during Spring Break. He'd love to take Coco to the prom but I told him it may not be possible. He said in that case he would just take his cousin Hannah.
Chris is playing freshman football. They've had a really good season. He told me what position he plays, but I can't remember all of that football lingo.
Micky will be happy to know that Ann has got a new crush. His name is Andy and he's a sixth grader. He is all the poor girl ever talks about.
I myself have been asked out on a date by a nice guy named Gary. He's a forty-five year old truck driver that's been coming into the diner about everyday for the last few months. We seem to get along well, so he asked me out. It may go somewhere, but if not, I'm happy with life as it is.
Well, I gotta go. Peter, can't wait to see you at Christmas. I'll write again soon.
Love,
Momma Tork
"Gee, sounds like thing are going good," Micky said with a smile.
"Yeah, swell," Mike said as he stormed off to his room.
"Oh, I probably shouldn't have read that part about mom's date. That was kind of cruel I guess," Peter said worried.
"You didn't know. Mike should be over it by now, it's been six months," Davy said.
Davy's words didn't make Peter feel any better. He made his way upstairs to talk to Mike. As he was getting ready to knock, he heard Mike working on a song.
"When she left, something inside of me died," Mike sang and then picked the melody out on the guitar. Peter gently knocked on the door as Mike played.
"Come in," Mike said, still trying to get the notes right on the guitar.
"Hey Mike, are you ok?" Peter asked.
"I'm fine. It's funny how I get asked that at least once a day anymore," Mike said.
"You've been through a lot, and we care about you," Peter stated as he sat next to Mike on the bed.
"I'll get over it. I just need more time," Mike said.
"I'm sorry I read that part about mom's date. It was insensitive," Peter apologized.
"Don't be. I want Ginny to be happy. When you love someone, sometimes what makes them happy will make you unhappy. That's just life," Mike said.
"You sure are taking this well," Peter admitted.
"Thanks, but can I be alone now? I'm sorting out some thoughts," Mike told him.
"Sure, see you later," Peter said as he left the room.
Mike immediately went back to his song and sang these words:
"I won't be the same without her. No, I won't be the same without her by my side."
Hundreds of miles away, Ginny was holding a finished letter in her hand. She debated whether to send it or not. She had something very important to say, but she was afraid she'd either get no reply or a nasty reply. So figuring she was doing the best thing for everyone, she crumpled up the letter and threw it in the fireplace. She struck a match and tossed it in, as she stood there watching her words smolder into ash.
The note had read:
Dearest Michael,
I hope this letter finds you well. I'm sure by this time you've moved on and have found a lovely young woman to be your girl.
I wanted to tell you how sorry I was for the way things ended. I hope one day you'll understand that I did it to save you and Peter's friendship. A relationship with me might have torn it apart, no matter how much Peter might have tried to tolerate our unusual situation.
Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. Sometimes I'll imagine that your arms are around me. I hated letting you go, but as I said, I did it for my children. Maybe one day they will understand just how much you meant to me. Maybe younger men dating older women won’t be so taboo. Maybe a day will come when we’re not shoved into age brackets and be expected to act and think a certain way.
Until that time, I will remember the two short weeks we had together.
Love Always,
Ginny