We're Almost There

28. This Dude Has Really Been Through Some Things.

Twenty Eight

Kyle

When Kenzie called him in tears, Kyle knew something was up, because he's perceptive like that.

"It's-it's my brother," she said through shaky breaths.

"Your brother?" Kyle asked, confused. He thought hard on everything he knew about Kenzie's brother. He was already out of high school... Wasn't he doing some travelling? Then it dawned on him. He completely forgot that Kenzie told him that her brother ran away a couple years ago and totally cut her out of his life.

"Yeah," she muttered. "He-he wrote me."

"Wrote you?" Kyle realized he was just repeating everything she was saying. "Like in a letter?" Well, that didn't make it any better.

"Yeah," Kenzie repeated, like she was as confused as he. "He-he's never done this before. I haven't heard from him since..." she trailed off.

Kyle thought of his little brother and wondered how Chance would feel if Kyle didn't speak to him for two years. As much as his brother annoyed him, he definitely loved the kid. Kyle wondered if Adam loved Kenzie.

"Do you want me to come over?" He asked softly.

"That'd be good," she mumbled.

"Okay. Give me ten minutes. I'll be right over."

Kyle was soon sitting on Kenzie's living room couch. She was staring at the obviously used-to-be white envelope, clutching it tightly in her hands. The words, To Kenzie Coleman, were in big, scrawled print, and then -Adam was written small underneath it. Kyle didn't know if she would actually open it, so he stayed quiet and absentmindedly rubbed her arm.

"Can you read it?" She asked all of sudden.

"Oh, um, yeah," Kyle said, taken by surprise.

Kenzie had turned and looked up at him with big brown eyes that were slightly glossy. She was chewing at her lip nervously. She handed him the letter. "Don't read it out loud," she instructed. "Just tell me if it's good or not."

"I can do that," Kyle promised.

Kenzie cuddled into his side and shut her eyes. Kyle kissed her forehead before looking back at the letter.

As carefully as he could, he opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper that appeared to be torn recklessly from a notebook.

Kyle read silently.

Dear Kenzie,

It's Adam. Well, I put that on the envelope so you knew right away.
Anyway, I know you probably hate me, and I don't blame you.
I didn't put a return address because I don't want you to know where I am. Not yet, anyway.
But I want you to know that I'm safe. And happy.
Tell mom and dad I'm okay, please.
I should've told you that I was leaving, and every day I regret not doing so. All I want right now is for you to be okay, or get some closure.
The thing is, back at home I didn't know who I was. I was surrounded by people who were just trying to get through each passing day and it was suffocating. I wanted to get away, I had to. I figured if I left, I'd be able to figure out who I might be, and what my purpose was.
And I think I've got it figured out now.
I love you Kenzie, and I'll see you again.
-Adam

Woah, Kyle thought, this dude has really been through some things.

He folded the letter and cleared his throat, causing Kenzie's eyes to snap open.