The Nightmares Come While I'm Awake

Dear Jane,

I’m so honored you asked me to be one of your bridesmaids, but I can’t do it. Please stop asking me. Every time you ask it gets harder to resist. Stop showing me the summer, it makes waking up and seeing the endless autumn that much harder. You have to understand that no matter what I feel about here and now, I can’t leave it. I can’t leave behind everyone who counts on me.

I’ve asked you to stop so many times in my dreams, but it isn’t two way is it? You just send out the message. Maybe you’re wondering where I am, why I haven’t done as you’ve said yet. I bought everything I needed and hid it just in case.

That’s why you need to stop, because I can’t hold out forever. You know that. But, I think you don’t know how much I’m needed here.

You should ask Jackie. She talks about you all the time and she isn’t nearly as busy as I am. If you ask her instead of me, I could give her everything and help her get ready. The dress you showed me would look much better on her anyway.

I know that you’ll stop once you get the letter.

Your Friend Forever,
Nancy Olmos