Chapter 127
0127 I ran my fingers over the handwriting on the mailing label, pleading with myself not to get my hopes up. The handwriting looked familiar, but technically it could be anyone, right? I mean, lots of she-wolves have similar handwriting, and there was not enough on the label to really be sure. After a couple of minutes, I finally convinced myself to open the package. Inside I found two items: a red, orange, and white baseball jersey; and a framed picture of the most recent Arkansas Wolf Packers professional baseball team that had been signed by all of the players. I smiled as I looked at the items, because I knew immediately that Lily had sent them. I had never talked to anyone else about my love for that team. I pulled out the jersey and looked at it, noticing that it had “J. Anderson” printed on the back. I held it up to my nose, hoping it had some of Lily’s scent on it. Unfortunately, it did not. I then pulled out the framed team picture and examined it. Nothing stood out about it —other than it being really incredibly cool- until I was about to put it back in the box. That is when handwriting on the back of the frame caught my attention. I turned the frame over and noticed a phone number. My heart pounding hard, I pulled out my phone and quickly typed a text. Me: “Lily?” I waited… and waited… and waited. Then finally, I got a response. Lily: “Hi, James.” Me: “It is you!” Lily: “Yes. [smiling face emoji] I decided to go ahead and get a phone.” Me: “You have no idea how happy I am to hear from you.” Lily: “I assume this means that you got the gifts?” Me: “I did. Thank you! What was the occasion?” Lily: “Just a couple of early birthday presents.” Me: “My birthday is not for another couple of months, you know.” Lily: “Yes, but I needed to get my phone number to you somehow, and I thought this might be the best. way.” Me: “It was an awesome way.”!! Me: “How are you, Lily?” Lily: “I am doing really well. I just found a new job that I really like, and I am starting to have a lot of hope for my future.” I stare at the message, not sure how to respond. Lily: “Rose misses Luke.” Me: “Does she?” Lily: “Yes. She whines for him every day.” Me: “Is Rose the only one who misses us?” Lily: “If I told you that I sort-of miss you too, will it give you a huge ego?” Me: “Absolutely.” Me: “But I am happy to confess that I miss you, too, Lily.” Lily: “I miss you as well, James.” I can feel my heart bursting through my chest. Lily: “So… did you know that the Wolf Packers baseball team is owned and coached by wolves?” Me: “Really? Isn’t that… a bit. literal?” Lily: [laughing out loud emoji] “Yeah, it is.” Me: “Are any of the players wolves?” Π Lily: “No. Just the coaches and owners.” Me: “Where did you learn this information?” Lily: “I have my sources.” [winking emoji] Lily and I continued on that like for the next thirty-five minutes, chatting about various things, until I finally had to go downstairs to meet my father. I cannot tell you how good it felt to communicate with her, and to know she is thinking of me and missing me just like I am her. Despite everything, I could not help the huge smile on my face as I made my way to my father’s office.
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