First Letter

At the age of Twenty-one Brianna had just returned home from college. While she was settling in, a loud knock on the door caused her to jump out of her skin. She went to the door to find a childhood friend named Chris holding a letter. He said Dennis sent a letter to his house for me and He promised He would give it to you. She took the letter and laid it on the kitchen counter contemplating if she would open it or not. Weeks later she decided to open the letter. As she tore the letter open from the side. Her began to speed up. It had been years since she heard from Dennis. The letter read:

Brianna I hope this letter finds you in good health. I know it's been a long time but I would like you to come see me. I would love to see your gorgeous dark skin and natural red hair. I sit and fantasize about us having a family. I miss holding your hand. I wish I could kiss your beautiful soft lips. We never had our first kiss and I am hoping we can change that. I know I hurt you which was never my intention. I wasn’t ready for a girl like you, smart and ambitious. Can you come to see me? I need your information so I can put you on my visiting list. I have so many things I want to share with you. Starting with how sorry I am that I never did right by you while I was home. I was young and made a lot of mistakes. If it is okay can I have your phone number so I can put it on my list? I love you forever.

Your Friend,

Dennis

She sat at the kitchen table in disbelief. Thinking to herself if she should write him back. Days later she pulled out a notebook and pen, beginning to write him back. Her letter read:

What’s up Dennis,

It's been so long and I have no idea how to feel about the letter you sent me. It took me weeks to read it and days to write back to you. I had the biggest crush on you growing up and the hurt you brought into my life was unreal. I am not certain if I can go down this road with you again. I hope you understand.

Warm regards,

Brianna

Months had gone by and she hadn’t heard anything else from Dennis. She began to wonder if he was ok. She decided to write to him once more just to check up on him. In this letter she gave her information and her phone number telling him that they can only be friends. Two more weeks went by and she still hadn’t heard anything. She she sat down and wrote him another letter that read:

Dennis,

I have been thinking about you everyday since I read your letter. I played back all the things that we could have done to make our relationship better. Truth is we were both young. At that age I was barely ready to hold hands. You were a little older and ready for life changing events. I was still accessorizing my barbies on my bookshelf. I didn’t know what love was. I am now a woman willing to love and care for you. I am no longer that shy little timid girl. Maybe you will get a chance to meet this side of me.

Your First Love,

Brianna

A month went by and she received a call from a strange number. She answered and to her surprise it was Dennis. They talked for about fifteen minutes until the phone hung up. During the conversation Brianna found out he had a son by Tamar named David. She was a little crushed but happy for him. They discuss a week to meet up. Brianna said she could take off of work in two weeks. Dennis agreed to the visit. He was excited because no one really had the time to come see him. He had been locked up for about four years. Tamar refused to bring David to the prison to see his father. She wouldn’t accept Dennis calls. She threw out his letters that he would send to her house. So a visit from Brianna would be more than appreciated. After the call was over Brianna stood up and went straight over to Keisha’s house. She climbed over the banister and walked through the door looking for Keisha. Once she reached Keisha’s bedroom Brianna uttered cousin you will never believe who I just spoke to. Keisha tried to guess but she kept getting it wrong. Keisha laughed saying I give up. Brianna with a smirk on her face said I just spoke to Dennis and he is locked up at CFCF (Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility). I think I might go see him next week. He said I'm on his list now. She then filled Keisha in on everything that had spoke about. Keisha told her to be careful. But Brianna refused to take the warning. This was a man she had the biggest crush on growing up. After that day she never missed a Thursday visit. She rode the bus for hours just to see him. She didn’t have a car. She sent him a letter every single day keeping him updated with her daily activities. She changed her days off from work just to make sure she could see him on visiting day. Things seemed to be going well until around a year later when she walked into the facility to see Tamar sitting there. Brianna was confused. She walked up to the counter to check in to find out he already had someone waiting to visit him. As she was trying to figure things out her cell phone began to ring. It was Dennis' mother Renee. Dennis asked her to call and tell Brianna not to come because he had something to discuss with his son’s mother. She told his mother she was already there and his mother told her to leave. Because They have a child together who he has not seen or heard from. And talking to Tamar is more important. Brianna was once again devastated. It wasn't the problem of his son’s mother coming to visit, it was the fact he couldn’t call her himself or told her the night before when they spoke on the phone. She felt so stupid she put her last bit of money on this man’s books and he didn’t have to decency to tell her the night before knowing she was coming. She went home crying. While on the bus her phone started ringing. It was Dennis calling and she quickly let it go to voicemail blocking the number. She then blocked Renee's number, erasing it. Once home she packed up every letter into a box and threw them all away. She refused to answer another call or letter. She decided to focus on her. But he found a way to suck her back in. He had one of his friend’s wife go over to her house to give her a letter. Brianna knew Sunni so she let her come inside. Sunni began to tell Brianna how sorry Dennis was for not letting her know Tamar was coming. It was a last minute thing his mother hooked up. This letter will explain everything. Brianna opened the letter after Sunni left.

Dear Love of my Life,

Hear me out…I never meant to hurt you. I had no idea Tamar was coming that day until a couple hours before the visit. She called my mom asking if we could talk about our son. My mom being the softy she is, organized the visit. I didn’t have any say. I didn’t want to hurt you so I told my mom to call you. The last time we talked you were tired and I told you to take a visit off. You never said you were coming so I figured I wouldn't see you anyway when I told my mom it was cool. My mom later told me you were here. Had I known that I wouldn't have taken her visit. I miss you so much and I need you to stick by me. All I have is you Baby. Don’t leave me now. I am going to call you until you pick up. Please answer my calls. I will never ever hurt you again. I promise!

Your Man,

Dennis

Brianna knew she should just walk away but she didn’t want to leave him without anyone. So she unblocked his number. That night she took special photos for him and wrote back.

Dear Big Daddy,

I am so glad you wrote to me explaining everything. I forgive you and I’m going to stay in your corner always. All I ask is for your complete honesty. I know Tamar is your son’s mother and I respect that just give me a heads up. I am willing to split the visits fifty fifty. I can come every other thursday. That way your son can see you on a regular basis. I never want to keep you from your son. I will be waiting for your call. I love you forever and a day.

Love Wifey,

Brianna

They were back on track not missing a beat. Daily calls and weekly letters. Nothing changed until one week Tamar decided she didn’t want to split the visits anymore. She wanted to come every week. Brianna did not understand the issue. It wasn’t like they were together, they were just co-parenting. To keep drama down Brianna gave in to Tamar’s demand. It wasn’t like Dennis couldn’t call or write to her. Eventually the calls and letters began to slow down. Brianna didn’t think much of it at first. It wasn’t until Tamar came to her job with a handful of letters throwing them at her. Brianna had no idea what the issue was. Tamar just kept saying you need to read them dummy. Brianna was reluctant but picked the letters up, sticking them in her purse. Tamar turned around and walked away. Later that night Dennis called to check on Brianna. She told him everything that happened with Tamar. He asked where the letters were. She told him in her purse. He told her not to even read them. Just throw them in the trash because Tamar was a drama queen. After she hung up she decided to see why he wanted the letters in the trash so bad. She pulled them out of her bag, organizing them by the postmarks.