5

Miranda POV 

My mind keeps wandering back to the letter I received even after I completed my nightly routine of taking care of my dog’s needs and chatting up Amanda so she doesnt run off and do something crazy, like call over some stranger she met on social media. Ever since her break up with her long term boyfriend, David, she has started meeting men through different social media apps and even some dating or hook-up apps.  It doesn't really bother me. I mean, to each is his own and her sexual business is just that-her business.  I’m a strong believer that no one should be shamed for who they are attracted to and/or if they have any kinks or fetishes as long as everyone involved is a consenting adult. As long as it does not include any vulnerable populations or animals, then their preferences are their own to manage.  I've got enough of my own life to manage, to worry about judging others. 

The only worry I have about Amanda is that sometimes her actions seem unsafe. Just last weekend, she called me from a hotel after hooking up with two different men on the same night (no judgment on that part). She called because she was scared the first man was going to return to the hotel and find the second man in bed with her and get upset and possibly get violent. I told her to leave but she decided to stay and thankfully the first man never returned so I guess, no harm done. Regardless, it's just not something I am interested in so I avoid her when she is on the hunt for some D. I prefer to not get myself into any uncomfortable situations. 

My phone rings and I flip my phone over to see my brother's ornery face staring at me. I wonder what he wants. He only calls about once a week to give me his band schedule of what clubs they will be playing at in case I have friends that are interested in watching him.  He thinks he is a bit more of a rockstar than what is reality. He plays lead guitar for a band that plays consistently at several of the clubs in the Anchorage area. They play a pop/reggae style with both cover songs and originals and recently got hired to play for a club in the Seattle area, so he was pretty excited about that and thus, increasing his already cocky attitude for holding superior sibling musical abilities. 

“Hey, Mik.” His full name is Miklos, which is Hungarian for ‘people of victory’. I'm not sure why my parents named him that since no one in our family is Hungarian and we have won no notable victories, but I guess it's better than being named after the Fifth Amendment constitutional right to remain silent. 

“Hey. I was just calling to let you know where I’m playing this week.” How did I know? Mr. Rockstar can't wait to rub in his local success. 

After listing off all his band gigs along with the monetary amounts each gig is paying, Mik adds, “What's up with your friend Amanda?” 

“What do you mean?” Oh, God. I hope he doesn't want to date her or something. That would be terribly uncomfortable when they broke up, which I guarantee would happen within a few short months. 

“I saw her out a lot at the clubs this last week.  Every night with a different dude and some of them were shady characters, too.  I hope you are not spending too much time with her.  As a matter of fact, you might want to reconsider hanging around her at all with the reputation she’s getting.”

“Reputation? What is it? The fifties?  Geez, Betty Sue, if the boys see you necking in the back of Billy’s Thunderbird...” 

“You know what I mean,” Mik interrupts. 

“Well, her personal life is her personal life.  I try not to intervene. 

“Okay. Well, if I see you out slutting around with her, I'll put an end to it one way or another. I don't want my sister associated with that. People talk and it could even affect my gigs.”  Ahh, and there it is. That's ultimately why the long speech and the real reason for the long conversation about Amanda’s behavior. He doesn't want me out making a bad impression that could carry over to him. 

“Got it. Don't worry I have no plans to go out with Amanda and I'm not even dating right now.” Quickly changing my tone to urgent, “Oh, no! Beebs needs to go out so I've got to go. Bye, Mik.” 

I lay in bed, my mind pondering my interactions with both Amanda and Mik tonight. Between my faltering friendship with Amanda, my brother's possessiveness, my holiday depression, and lack of my own sex life, I feel frustrated and lonely with no one to talk to. In the moment it makes perfect sense and I decide I will write my new penpal back and tell him all about it and get some of these feelings I've been experiencing finally off my chest. 

On the way to work the next morning, I drive through the post office and drop my letter in the drop box. As soon  as it leaves my hands, I immediately regret it.  ‘Oh God.  That letter was a complete overshare.What have I done?’ I tell myself. Even I know, no amount of begging will convince the postmaster to let me get my letter back.  I cover my eyes with my hand, grimace, take a long, deep breath, then head to the office for a day of word analysis.