Page 7 of Pieces: A Companion Piece

Bring him home, boys.

Then learn how to shut the fuck up, ’cause I’ll be fussing like a motherfucker when you’re back. Not River—you already know how to be quiet. You’re gonna sit pretty and accept my fussing. Your brother, I will gag.

Fuck me, my nerves are shot. You assholes.

FROM JORDAN & JAMES

From Jordan

Daddy said I was gonna write fun stuff, right? He said he’d mention it.

I guess I wanted to prepare you, in case you aren’t in a mood to laugh or smile when you’re reading this. If you wanna mope, jump to the next chapter, please and thank you. Also, I’m not writing funny-funny stuff, like jokes or silly things. I’m just…

We have lots of fun memories together, and I thought maybe it could be motivating to keep fighting when things get extra rough if you have good times at the forefront of your mind?

Sometimes we forget.

For instance, do you remember the time you and the Big Rs came over for dinner and River ended up having a staredown with Daddy and Rigger’s daughter over the last piece of strawberry pie? And River lost? And we all laughed?

That’s a fun memory.

Or the time we went to that quarry together and Daddy was chased by a wasp until he jumped into the water? I laughed so hard I almost cried!

When I get upset, I try to think about these times. I try to remind myself that if anyone can find you, it’s River and Reese. They won’t stop until you’re in their arms.

One day, you will laugh your butt off again.

I miss you.

From Jordan.

From Jordan

Also, when you get home, I will make you all the monkey bread in the world if you want.

From Jordan

We miss you, we miss you, we miss you!

From James

Hello, Shay.

I’ve been sitting here for over an hour, trying to come up with what to write to you. Lane was very adamant about everyone contributing.

It’s not that I don’t want to contribute—but what could I do to make a difference?

If I had the power of mind control, I would do to those who’ve hurt you what they’ve done to you. And ten times worse. But I don’t have that power.

If I could go back in time, I would make sure you never got on that plane. But I can’t do that.

Being helpless is awful, and yet it’s nothing compared to what you’re going through.

It has been nice, though, to watch the community come together and deal with this situation as a family. You have a big second family in Mclean, and we’re all hoping you’ll return to us soon.

Stay strong.

James