Letters To My Palestinian Neighbor Novels & Stories

BK 2 chapter 10 It had been a month since I'd left Abdulrahman's house. I sighed tiredly and rubbed my temple, I'd been feeling a slight headache. Abdulrahman used to visit once a week and pleaded for me to come back but I couldn't because I wanted him to know my worth. Maryam visited me every weekday after work. I'd returned back to the office after I'd left it in care of my younger brother- Lut. The person sending the letters was still a mystery. I received gifts and letters almost thrice in a week.

With the final payment came an encrypted email. “Sister, the debt is paid. I just survived a gang war in Palermo. Took a bullet in the thigh. I’m in a basement digging it out myself right now. The pain is so bad I’m about to pass out, but I suddenly get it. I finally understand the hell you’ve been living in. Sister, I miss you. Right now, I would give anything for a reply. Even just a single period.” I sat in the dark, staring at the email for a long, long time.

That’s unusual. Picking up my phone there is a picture of my neighbor and I running. Underneath the image is a single line of text. “Don’t trust him.” “Huh?” I look at the photo shaking my head. There is nothing about this photo that makes me think I have anything to worry about. Besides, Jude is the nicest person I’ve encountered in a long time. I’m sure my anonymous sender is confused. Jude is harmless. I’ve never met a kinder, more generous human being.

The day is blustery but bright, and I am warm enough, wrapped up in my cashmere coat and scarf. The ping of my phone grabs my attention, and I idly wonder whether it is my mother ready to apologise. Yeah, like that will ever happen, I think to myself sarcastically. I glance at my screen and see that Taylor has sent me a message, checking if I am okay. I am not sure that I am, but I don't want to worry him, so I tell him everything is fine and I am just enjoying the sunshine by the pier. With shaking hands I open the envelope and pull out Nonna's letter, the familiar script bringing tears to my eyes:

My soul kind of ached too, but I didn’t want to get that dramatic about it. Besides, I really don’t know him well enough. Except that we exchanged numbers the other day and he’s my neighbor. Roman finally spoke. “Why didn’t you call me?” I laughed—like a wounded cackle. “You mean my hot new neighbor who I’ve exchanged all of my shame with? Oh sure, let me put you on my emergency contact list right after my dentist and A****n delivery guy.” He didn’t smile. “We exchanged numbers that day. You could have called for help.”

It felt good to give them something, after everything they have given to me. That’s why, in that letter, I wrote Jack and Shirley first, and then Mom later. Wow, that got intense. And long. Sorry about that. To wrap it up, yes I celebrate Thanksgiving, and no, your school picture is not silly either. Hope to hear from you soon! Your friend, Haven

I nodded and slipped it into my wallet. At home, I took a shower, changed into my pajamas, and quickly climbed to bed. I opened the letter. Dear Nia, I hope this letter finds you well and that you will take the time to read this. I would have wanted to talk to you personally, but I respect your request to leave you alone and not show my face until I leave school. I would like to thank you for giving me the chance to know you, be with you, and love you. Just want you to know that you're really special to

Conversations with neighbors who smiled without knowing anything about the war being waged ten floors above them. Normalcy as camouflage. It almost worked. Until the envelope arrived. No postage. No return address. Just my name, written carefully, slid under the door. My hands were steady when I picked it up. That surprised me. Inside was a photograph. Not recent. Not staged. It was from months ago. Me, walking alone. Head down. Unaware. On the back, a single sentence: You were easier to reach than he thought. When he came home, I didn’t give him time to ask what was wrong. I handed him the photo.

I'm sorry . I'm moving to country side due to my health condition , if this letter reaches you it means I've already left . Thank you for being with me . I'm grateful for you and Theo. I'll comeback to the city , if Im cured from this illness . I know it's selfish of me to ask this , please take care of Theo for me and take care of yourself as well. I'll always miss you guys , wherever I go. Yours lovingly, Pheony Rose.')

God, when will this day end? I was happy to walk through the door of my home; happy to be back in my element and alone, away from everything I seemed to have ruined. I had received a letter with an Ohio address. I heard my heart thumping in my ears. Letters with an Ohio address always turned out to be bad news. The last time this happened, I received some unwanted pictures. To my surprise, it was Emett. I had tried to reach out to him and his brother a few times, but they never answered. I left voicemails, but they never called back. A smile came upon my face. This letter meant that they hadn’t gave up on me. There was a chance for us to make up and move forward with our friendship. I kick