Painted Boots

by Mechelle Morrison

  p.s. Did you notice I made a new Gmail, just for you?

  Aspen Brand aspenblovesyouback@gmail.com

  To KyleKDTlovesyou

  Hey Kyle,

  I love the Gmail you made for me, so I made a new one for you, too. I like the idea of all our email together with nothing between them.

  Your mom is doing the right thing. I think it’s smart, to give you time away from everything and everybody. Even me. It’s healthy, you know? After you left last night my dad was super tired, but I asked him if we could talk, and we did, though we both struggled for words. I get that from him, I guess, ‘cause my mom always had plenty to say. But I talked a little about Mom and how much I miss her and how it doesn’t hurt as much as it did for her to be gone and how sometimes that makes me feel guilty. I told him I’d been blaming myself for her death, because she had to drive me to school. I told him I felt like if I’d only been on time that morning Mom would still be alive.

  He said ‘Thinking backwards will make you crazy, Aspen.’ Then he told me he never once thought Mom’s death was my fault or her fault or anybody’s fault. It’s hard for him, talking about Mom. I could tell. His voice cracked a lot, and he fought his tears. He told me to let the guilt go and just remember the good stuff. ‘If your mother’s anywhere,’ he said, ‘she’s expecting both of us, me and you too, to go on and live happy lives.’

  I told him about you, Kyle. I told him what you’d gone through with Em. I hope that’s okay. I kept your music secret like you seem to want it right now. But you know you have about a million views on YouTube, right? Chances are some of those views come from Gillette. I guarantee at least a thousand of them are mine.

  I admitted to Dad how Em keeps herself busy trying to figure out my clothes. He said her little clothing habit might be amusing if she wasn’t a dangerous girl, and that I should stay clear of her. Which I’m planning to do.

  I was on my way to bed when Dad turned to me and said he can tell I like you. A lot. He said ‘take it slow, baby.’ I have no choice in that, seeing as you’re so far away. Kissing you,

  Aspen

  KyleKDTlovesyou

  7:10 AM(9 hours ago)

  To me

  Hey Aspen,

  It took thirteen hours to get here, which is why I didn’t answer you yesterday. I thought about you though, every inch of every mile. I talked about you over most of that distance, too.

  It’s okay by me you talked about us with your Dad. And I like what he said to you, about how your mom might be feeling in heaven, or wherever people go. Seems natural that with all the love she had for you she’d want you to live a happy life.

  I don’t know if you’ve been to Salt Lake, but I’ll tell you. It’s a beast compared to Gillette. A load of urban sprawl. We’re staying in a Marriott, up by the University of Utah, and I can see across the valley from my window. Buildings and roads and junk go on from one end of this place to the other. It’s never quiet. You can always hear helicopters or airplanes or cars. And I don’t think it’s that pretty, though the mountains are great. There’s so much light at night it washes out most of the stars.

  The doctor I’m seeing works at the University hospital. His name is Dylan Barnett, which is a name I like since it has me thinking of Bob Dylan. (An oldie-but-goodie, in case you don’t know. Classic 60s rock.) My first appointment is today, 10:30.

  I wish I could call you. Or text. I almost have, three times. It’s that I don’t think it would be smart, at least not for a while yet. This will sound paranoid, but I don’t want my number captured on your phone. If Em got hold of your cell somehow and saw my number there she’d turn your life upside down. My dad called her parents and I’m sure it made her furious. She’ll be looking for me this week. Knowing her she’ll extend that to anybody she thinks connects to me. Em likely knows we danced together. She wasn’t there that day, but her friend Evvie was and those two talk. It’s my hope to protect you, is what I’m trying to say. So I listened to your YouTube again, just to hear your voice.

  I loved singing with you, the way we did Saturday. I was thinking we could sing together, like a duet, and then I’ll post it. Maybe this summer, after graduation, we could tour. I’ve been wanting to try touring, and having you along would seal the deal. Say yes, and I’ll find us places to play.

  If we were face to face you’d hear it in my voice. I’m spooked nervous about talking things out with a doctor.

  K

  KyleKDTlovesyou

  3:01 PM(1 hour ago)

  To me

  Hey Aspen,

  At first I got worried, seeing as you haven’t answered. Then I remembered it’s Monday and you have school. I want to know everything—what went on in class, what you talked about at lunch, if Em bothered you any.

  I had a good meeting with Dylan, my doctor. We talked about my brother and what happened there. After the session I went running, up along a trail called Bonneville Shoreline. I had to think about things and make a decision, because at first I didn’t know whether I should tell you the stuff about Evan. But I decided secrets are why I’m down here, talking my way through things I’ve let get too big. If I keep stuff from you it’ll get big too, and eventually it’d settle into bricks between us. I don’t want that. So here’s how it happened with my brother.

  Two years ago I woke up early, on a Saturday, and went running like I always do. On my way home I noticed Evan’s truck parked a ways down a dirt road, off by a field. I thought maybe he’d come looking for me, like I was needed at home or something. But when I got close I saw blood on the driver’s window. Inside.

  I should have stopped there, you know? I should have pulled out my phone and called my parents or 911 or the cops. Instead I went to Evan’s door and opened it. I don’t know what I expected, like maybe he was hurt and needing help. He’d rigged his shotgun and I don’t know if you know, but a shotgun can make a mess. Blood was everywhere. His body was slumped back, and the only thing looking at me was what was left of his face.

  All the love I had for my brother left me that day, like I puked it out right along with my breakfast. After that, I don’t remember. Maybe I passed out, ‘cause it was a while before I had the wits to call my dad. He came with Mom, and an ambulance came and a lot of other people, too. I ran off into the field and stayed there, scared as shit, dry puking and crying and screaming at the sky until Evan was cleaned up and gone. Then I let my parents get close enough to take me home.

  Evan didn’t leave a note. Dylan asked me would a note matter and at first I said ‘sure.’ But while we talked I came to see that Evan’s reasons for taking his life, whatever they were, wouldn’t hold weight to my thinking.

  Maybe Evan was depressed, or angry, or lonely or struggling with something, like drugs. But even with what I’ve been through since, and I mean the stuff with Em, I never once considered ending my own life. Dylan told me that one problem with suicide is that the people left behind can’t find a reason—any reason—worth dying over. So we don’t get why someone we love would do it.

  Dylan called suicide a dual-edged sword. On one hand, the person choosing to die has burrowed into a place in their head no one else can be and on the other, because we can’t be there, we can’t ever understand. It renders us helpless and Dylan warned me. That helpless feeling never really goes away.

  Being in Salt Lake, in a place so different it feels like another planet, puts me far from the problems that brought me here. It’s easy to think all the stuff that goes on in Gillette is nothing; like one ant hill never knowing that another exists. Like Evan’s death was nothing in the scheme of things. Like I’m nothing in the scheme. Does that make sense? It was a good session, like I said, but it left me feeling blue because Dylan is right. I’ll always feel helpless when it comes to Evan dying.

  Here in the hotel, typing out this email at my laptop, is as close to you as I can be right now. And I’ll tell you girl, it isn’t near close enough. I want to hold you something fierce, but my mom says we’re her
e until the Monday before Thanksgiving. Mom says if I need hugs she’s here for me, but beyond that I need to be patient. Then I start thinking on your kisses and stuff and you know.

  I miss you Aspen.

  K

  Aspen Brand aspenblovesyouback@gmail.com

  To KyleKDTlovesyou

  Hi Kyle,

  Don’t fret or anything! I’m here, and missing you, too.

  I’m so sorry about your brother. What you went through with him is horrible, I can’t even imagine. I cried when I read what you wrote. I’m crying now. I know how you felt, out there in the field alone, angry and scared. I went there in my own way, over my mom. How you got through seeing your brother like that, all bloody and messed up, tells me you’re strong. I hope you’ll understand when I say this, but it would be good to find a way to remember your love for him. I mean love for the person he was before he killed himself. Then maybe you won’t feel as helpless. My mom always told me we have all the power over how we feel. I’d forgotten she said that, until now.

  I think suicide is a huge betrayal. It’s selfish. But I thought about what Dylan said to you. I guess one way to view it is the person killing themselves has exhausted their logic. They aren’t the person you love anymore. They’re trapped in their thoughts, and can’t see out. My guess is Evan lost sight of his love for you and your parents. If he hadn’t, he would still be here. So maybe it’s okay to love who he was and at the same time, hate what he did.

  I was out at the curb today a good three minutes before my dad pulled up. I gave him the lecture: ‘If you’re not going to get me a car then be early!’ I mean, I ran out there knowing the chances were good you had sent me an email while I was at school. I couldn’t wait to get home and then !!!! Dad wasn’t even there. But I eased up, ‘cause on the way home he told me about having coffee with your dad. I can tell he considers your dad a friend.

  I’ll sing with you. Sure! It’d be fun to share a post on YouTube. Touring sounds scary, but I’d do it with you. I’m flattered you want me to, because you’re really good. I listen to your songs all the time right now because I’m craving you like crazy. It’s like I’m thirteen for how often I want to kiss my computer screen. I’m always amazed that you have so many fans. I added up all the views from your twelve songs: 1,798,331, total. You’re a view millionaire! Clearly, I’m not alone in adoring you.

  I didn’t see Em today, which is out of character for her. It’s also good, because I don’t know how I’ll handle it now that I know what she did to you. Even thinking on her starts a fury in my stomach. I saw Lindsey in the hall and she walked up close to me and said ‘I still want my aunt’s pin.’ I didn’t know what to say at first. I bought the thing and now it’s mine. Giving it to her seems weird, like if I give Lindsey that pin then it will get around and pretty soon everyone will be making a game out of getting me to give them stuff they think is theirs. It’s already bad enough that they’re always guessing who my clothes came from. In the end I told Lindsey if she wants the pin so bad she can buy it by paying me what I paid. Forty-five dollars. She just laughed.

  I can’t wait ‘till you’re home!

  A

  KyleKDTlovesyou

  7:07 PM(2 hours ago)

  To me

  Aspen,

  I love your name, you know? And since we’re being honest and natural with each other it seems natural to tell you that I’ve been thinking on how I want your name to evolve until one day, it’s Aspen Thacker. Cause I’ll tell you, girl. As far forward as I can look, I see you there.

  I know about those views on YouTube. And I’ll confide that it’s a dream I have to sell my songs on iTunes. I’ve been looking into it and stuff. But thinking on it now, I don’t care about all those views except the ones coming from you. It’s good people enjoy my music, but you inspire it. Remember that.

  I love the idea of craving like crazy. I’m gonna write a song about it, and the lyrics will all be about how much I crave you and how much you crave me. That I’m sitting here, desperate to take that craving and act on it, is something you should know.

  Thanks for the stuff you said about my brother. It meant a lot. I like how your thoughts draw a circle around what’s good in a person. I like how you see the better side of things. You have a gift for that, but maybe you don’t know. I know it and I need it. I need you, girl.

  My mom’s taking me out to a late dinner, so I’m writing now to say good night. It’s been a rough day. Earlier, after I emailed you, my mom and I talked about Evan and we both cried, hard. It’s strange, but up until this week we’ve never really talked about what happened. Evan’s death was the shadow lurking behind our thoughts, but none of us dared bring it up.

  My dad still won’t talk about it. It was good to hear my mom own that. It’s good she’s being brave, and that she’ll discuss it some with me. Mom says to give Dad time, that it might take him years, if ever, because Dad and Evan were real close. I may be the one who looks more like my dad, but Evan was Dad’s reflection. Evan was nineteen when he died, a year away from where I stand now. Mom says the closer I get to his age, the more Dad sees the best of my brother in me and it’s hard for him. Real hard. I wish Dad could talk about it though.

  I miss my brother. I always will. It feels good to talk about him and it hurts like hell, all rolled up into one.

  God, I’m tired. I wish I could curl myself around you girl, and fall asleep. Promise you’ll let me do that, when I come home.

  K

  14

  THE SEA DRAINS upward, filling Wyoming’s gigantic sky with rolling, green waves. Stars and planets wink as they submerge in the churning foam. The moon shimmers like a pearl on the ocean floor.

  But from where I watch, dry and sheltered in the Jam, I feel no worry. Kyle’s nearby, playing “Be All Right” on his guitar. He whispers in my ear, “It’s not done, girl.” His guitar’s strings make a weird, stinging thwack.

  I wake up a bit.

  Thwack.

  Silence.

  Did I hear something for real? A dripping faucet? Rain? Maybe animals, in the attic. We had that once in Portland. Raccoons, I think.

  Thwack.

  I roll to my side, open my eyes and blink the dim digital numbers of my clock into focus. One-fifty-two. No light seeps from under my door.

  That means Dad’s asleep. Right?

  Thwack.

  Something hit my window! I slip out of bed and flex my toes in the cool fibers of my rug. Another thwack and I drop to the floor, my arms around my knees. Is it a bat? Are there bats in Wyoming? Big ones? Do bats break glass? Can bats even fly when it’s cold? A shiver wracks my body.

  Another thwack. Then two more.

  Three thwacks later I force myself to stand. For a nanosecond I consider opening my blinds, but I don’t. What if all I see is some huge monster gnawing on the glass to get in? I walk to my door and pull it open carefully, just in case the monster has friends waiting to attack me in the hall. Except for the weak little light Dad plugged into the center outlet, the hallway is empty and dark. Dad keeps the light there in case I need a late-night potty trip. I thought it was stupid when he plugged it in—“I’m not a toddler,” I’d said—but now I’m grateful.

  Dad’s door is shut, which is normal. He’s snoring on the other side. That’s normal, too. I step into the hall, clutch at my elbows and walk to the top of the stairs. Behind me, from my room, comes another sharp thwack.

  Moonlight pours like mercury through our paned front windows, painting an elongated, silvery checkerboard across the living room floor. I step from the stairs and edge along the interior wall, walking across the couch cushions before I squeeze behind and around Dad’s new chair. That way I keep in the shadows. The moonlight doesn’t touch even my toes.

  Once I’m in Dad’s office, I relax. His technology lights are all aglow—the computer’s tiny green ‘on’ button, the neon blue connection of his charging phone, the various printers and monitors and scanners, his stereo and his fax.
Everything seems normal and I feel safe. The blinds are drawn, but this room is directly below my bedroom. If I look outside, maybe I’ll see where the noise comes from.

  Shrubbery lines the front of our house. To get a better view I move a chair to the window and climb onto it, parting the blind’s top slats with my fingers. Two shapes, like shadows free of their owners, stand a few feet away on the lawn. One of them throws something upward. Another thwack. The sound is softer from here.

  If I turn on the porch light I might catch a glimpse of who they are, but from here, even with the moon on full, the people are featureless. One person waves toward the street and the other steps forward, his or her arm whirling in a wide arc. A cascade of sound follows as something—small stones, maybe—pelt against our house. Some hit the exterior cedar siding. Some hit Dad’s office window so hard I think the glass will break. I step back, lose my balance as my chair tips sideways, and spill to the floor. Pain shoots into my ankle. I almost cry out, but I don’t. Tears squeeze from my eyes.