"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

We moved into your house. It’s weird being here, after two years even, and you not greeting me at the door making jokes about some random thing I Wil never understand. Things remind me of you around here, such as the beat up chair in the living room and the music that still blasts out of the barn. I don’t know when that old radio is going to stop kicking, but it has lasted a long time. You’ve missed a lot of firsts in my life. First kiss, first date, first time behind the wheel. You don’t get to threaten any of my boyfriends like you did to the guys that mom brought home. Uncle Rick does though. Mom remarried, I cried at the wedding. At least you don’t get to tease me over that like Rick. Brayden is about to graduate high school. It is stressful for both him and Mom, because she isn’t ready for either of us to leave the nest. I miss you, I wasn’t ready for you to leave this nest of yours. If only you hadn’t been so stubborn and would have gone to the doctor when you first started having symptoms instead of pushing it off until you died. My friend lost his father the same day I lost you, so I felt like I couldn’t even properly grieve over you with getting in his way. When I went back to school, I had to protect him. I had to shelter him. My own feelings where placed on the backburner. Insignificant to everyone but my closest friends and my family. When I was moving in, I could swear I could hear you saying my name. I don’t want to live haunted by your ghost in this house, but I couldn’t handle you being nowhere to be found either. I love you. I love you so much. I’m scared of what the future holds, and I feel like writing to you will in some way alleviate that fear. I guess we will find out.