The strawberry pact, p.1
The Strawberry Pact, page 1
Dedication
This is dedicated to all my dear friends who keep in touch with me long distance. LDR’s are tough, no matter the type of relationship.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
THE STRAWBERRY PACT
First edition. November 18, 2023.
Copyright © 2023 K. Anthony Wilson.
ISBN: 979-8223069591
Written by K. Anthony Wilson.
Table of Contents
Title Page
A Note from the Author
Dear JJ
Hey Clove
Durr Jaay Jaaay
Dear Clove
Dear Science Geek
Dear Unjealous Friend
Dear I Hear Voices
Dear Patient Pal
Dear Day One Friend
Dear Beautiful Girl
Fourth of July
Homesick
Poetess
Number One Fan
Re: Excited
Hey Stranger
It’s a date...I think
Care Package
The Cabin
Superstitious
Re: My Battery Died
Four Letter Word
Farewell
What happens next?
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Sign up for K. Anthony Wilson's Mailing List
Further Reading: Back to You
Also By K. Anthony Wilson
A Note from the Author
The Strawberry Pact, is book 2 in a stand-alone series called Loved by You. This book is a sequel to Back to You and a prequel to the other books in the series, It Never Rains in Las Vegas (formerly titled Better Together) and Like We Belong, all of which can be read out of order.
The setting of this series takes place in 2017. Some things (namely in technology) may not have been accessible or created like they are today. So keep that in mind as you read this light-hearted summer story.
I hope you enjoy this snippet of my imagination mixed in with a little of my real life. Thanks for picking out this book for yourself.
As always, happy reading!
Dear JJ
Saturday, June 1st
Dear JJ,
How’s life in Alabama? Are you having fun as a camp counselor?
I know writing letters might seem old-fashioned, but I wanted you to get some mail that would put a smile on your face. Are you smiling?
You used to tell me that I write like I talk. I think you might be right. I’ve had to proofread my writing five times. Writing letters to you in the most proper form should help me improve my writing overall.
Also, I got a job! There’s a cute little ice cream stationary ice cream truck down the street from my Aunt Didi’s neighborhood. This older gentleman named Mr. Sweeny owns it. It’s small, but people come for miles to get his ice cream and to visit the corner market he owns across the street. I got the job last Saturday. It pays minimum wage, but I’ll be working Wednesday–Saturday so I’m sure it’ll all add up. The truck is called Sweeny’s. Simple and easy to remember. Mr. Sweeny has lots of fun flavors like Blue Bananas (blueberry and bananas, tastes like a smoothie), Yellow Marshmallow (self-explanatory), and my new favorite, Strawberry Cookies n Cream. It’s the perfect mix of strawberry ice cream and cookies. Deliciousness!
If you were here, you’d probably like “Mud Road” because it’s like Rocky Road, your favorite.
I suppose I’ve kept you long enough. Write me back this time, okay?
Sincerely,
Clove
Hey Clove
Sun. 06/04/17
Hey Clove,
I’m doing great. Huntsville is the same as all the other times I’ve visited: muggy and hot with plenty of green trees. It’s a lot like Tennessee.
How do you like staying with your aunt? Seems like Atlanta is treating you right. Congratulations on your new job! You’re a confectioner. I hope you don’t have to memorize people’s favorite ice cream because you completely forgot mine. I do NOT like Rocky Road. That’s Xavier’s flavor. What kind of friend are you? Do you even know me? I’m not going to remind you what my favorite flavor is. I’m going to make you figure it out. I know you like sprinkles with a side of strawberry. I said that in the right order because you always dump a truckload of sprinkles on your ice cream. While everyone is silently licking, you’re crunching like crazy. And maybe it’s my imagination but I think your letter smells like strawberries. Did you spray it or something?
Yes, you do write like you talk sometimes. Although you didn’t use words like finna, usta, gonna, wanna in your letter. In my head, I could hear your voice reading to me. It sounded like “Durr Jaay Jaaaay.”
I think you’re being proper with me, but you know you don’t hafta be (see what I did there?)
I like that you’re writing to me instead of emailing or texting. Yes, it made me smile. Crazy how people don’t write letters anymore. People want to get things instantly. What’s the fun in that?
Truthfully, I can’t use my phone much while I’m with the campers. I only have access to my phone at night. By then I’m pretty tired and I usually crash. On Sundays, I have more downtime so more than likely I can write to you then.
Take care,
Jonah
I text JJ as soon as I finish reading his letter. Just got your letter.
That was fast.
Yes. Two days. Thank you for writing back.
Did you think I wouldn’t?
I wasn’t sure. Last summer when I wrote, you didn’t write back.
I was on a mission trip. By the time I got your letter, it was time for me to come back.
I know, you told me. Not gonna lie, I got excited when I saw my name in your chicken scratch.
Was it the way I made the C in your name or the blue Sharpie that made you giddy?
Both.
Hmmm, maybe I’ll write your name in cursive pink letters next time.
Sounds fancy. So what you’re saying is that you’re thinking of writing to me again.
Send me another strawberry-scented letter and find out. I wasn’t imagining the scent was I?
Nope. I sprayed it. My aunt told me that’s what she used to do when she wrote letters. You want another letter or should I email you?
You know I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy. But I don’t think you have enough patience to wait for letters.
Not true. I’m totally patient. I can wait 2 days.
Remember that I won’t probably be able to write you back until the weekend. So more like a letter a week.
I can handle that.
Really? You don’t even know how to go without your phone.
Yes, I do! Are you trying to challenge me?
Yes. For the next 8 weeks, no texts or emails, just letters. Letters are the only way we can communicate.
But what if I want to send you pictures?
Print and send them with the letter.
Wow.
See, you’re already thinking about backing out.
Am NOT. Let’s do this. All letters, no tech. A Strawberry Pact.
Strawberry Pact? I don’t have strawberry spray.
LOL. It’s okay. I do. Ready to start?
Not really. How about we start in one hour?
Why one hour?
My phone rings and shows a picture of me and Jonah together watching the sunset. “Hey,” I answer, sounding almost too excited to hear from him.
“Hey, you,” JJ says. “One hour because I want to hear your voice one more time before we start.”
Durr Jaay Jaaay
Wednesday, June 7th
Durr Jaay Jaaay (like that?),
I’m making every effort to write as elegantly as possible (and not like I talk), because I need as much practice as I can get before writing college essays and applications this year. Can you believe we’re finally seniors?
I decided to write Jessa and Xavier letters too, but they haven’t written me back yet. Jessa said she and Xavier might come to Atlanta for the 4th of July. Do you think you could come too? My Aunt Didi has two extra bedrooms. Me and Jess could bunk together and you and Xavier stay in the other room. We can grill, watch fireworks, have s’mores... What do you think? It’d be great for the four of us to hang out before I move to Las Vegas in the fall.
Las Vegas seems so far away. Almost like another country. I heard the weather is oven-hot there all the time and there isn’t really a winter. I also heard that the schools there are year-round. And there are tons of strip clubs and gambling everywhere.
I don’t know why my dad wants to start a church there. Anytime I talk to him on the phone he brings up the church “planting” project. Church plant sounds weird. I’m beginning to envision little churches popping up out of the soil and growing upward on a vine.
Maybe I should ask him if I can live with my gram so I can finish school at South Smalltown High with you. My aunt mentioned that I could live here in Atlanta if I wanted to, but I’m not sure I want to do that either. Decisions, decisions. Stay in Tennessee, move to Atlanta, or go with my dad to Las Vegas. I don’t know what to do.
There are a few families going with my dad to help him get things started. Do you think your family might decide to move as well?
I don’t want to write too much. I know how you have a short attention span when it comes to anyt hing that’s not related to science.
Science fact that you probably already know: The best temp to scoop ice cream is between 6–10℉.
I work with a guy who is always giving me random information like you do.
Sincerely,
Clove
Dear Clove
Sun. 06/11/17
Dear Clove,
Yes, I can believe we’re finally seniors. We’ve worked so hard to get here. What I can’t believe is that you’re leaving me to fend for myself at South Smalltown High. Walking through the hallways won’t be the same without seeing your face and hearing your sassy, southern voice say, “Stawwwp, y’all play too much!”
I tried to spell “stop” like I hear you saying it in my head.
The last time I talked to my parents, they were thinking it might be best to stay in Tennessee. My dad said he had a couple of interviews in Las Vegas, but no one was willing to top the pay he makes in Memphis. The cost of living is higher in LV and we couldn’t move our family of six on what he’s making now. I’m sorry. It’s a financial thing and the decision is out of my hands.
I decided to do a little research on living in Las Vegas to see if the things you’ve heard are true. Las Vegas is located in the desert, but that doesn’t mean the weather is hot all the time. I found that it has snowed there before but the most snow falls on Mt. Charleston (definitely want to go hiking up there, the pics look nice).
In September, the temp begins to drop from triple to double digits. Late October to early November is when the weather really starts to cool off. Most people say that there’s not much of a fall, meaning the leaves don’t change color like they do down South.
There are strip clubs but not all over the city. People only call it “sin city” because certain things are more out in the open and advertised differently than other places. Smalltown has sin too, just like everywhere else in the world. I think Vegas is a good place for your dad to start his church. The word “planting” makes sense. He’s starting from the ground up. Many other pastors are doing the same thing. I like your image of little churches growing from the soil. Good one.
About the year-round schools, they don’t really do that anymore, so no worries on that part.
Staying with your gram could be a good option. I’d like to have my friend nearby for at least another year. Staying with your aunt in Atlanta could be good too. On the other hand, I bet your dad could use your help with the church.
Have you talked to your friend Almond? How is she doing? I’d write her a letter, but I think a seventeen-year-old guy writing to a seven-year-old girl might be weird.
Thanks for the science tip about ice cream. Who’s this guy that’s posing as me? Tell him to back off, because you only have room for one science buff in your life. Just kidding (not really though).
Your science geek,
Jonah
Dear Science Geek
Wednesday, June 14th
Dear Science Geek,
I’m not sassy and I don’t sound like there are w’s in my words. Hush your mouth. But I did take note of how you said you can hear my voice in your head. What else can you hear me saying? What other voices do you hear in your head? How often do you hear these voices? We might need to have you checked out.
Thank you for your corrections to my Las Vegas misconceptions. You’re right about my dad needing help. He asks my opinion on things almost daily even though I think he has a team of people helping him already. While I’m here in Atlanta, he’s been flying in and out of Vegas trying to get things set up. He’s made it clear that he wants me there with him. The thought of it makes me nervous. New city, school and people. Every time I think about it, I get sad. I know what you’ll say: Write down pros and cons on leaving. I did that and I’ve included my list for you.
Staying in Smalltown
*Pros
You
Gram
Cons
Tisha and Mars
Mr. Stone’s English class
Mrs. Steele’s Chem class
All the teachers + the school
Small city
Las Vegas
*Pros
New place
Flashy Lights
Cons
New Place
Flashy Lights Flashy lights
People questioning me about my vitiligo
No friends
No you
No gram
I’d miss my old house
I’d be father away from Aunt Didi
Couldn’t visit mom’s gravesite
As you can see there are quite a few cons for Vegas but I know my dad needs me so maybe I’ll have to keep thinking about it. Oh and about Almond, she calls me almost every day. I put her on speakerphone and let her talk her little head off. Every now and then I “ooh” and “ahh’’ so she knows I’m listening. Honestly, I think I may have made a mistake by reaching out to her. On one hand, I’m happy to be a kind of mentor for her but she really has no clue that her mom is the reason I don’t have my mom. One time she did mention that her mom would drink from bottles that her dad tried to hide or throw away. I’m trying to hold on to my relationship with her because I feel like she needs me but she calls me way too much. I thought about writing to her, but since she’s blind, I thought it’d be cooler to send her something in braille. Is there a way I can get letters typed into braille? By the time this letter gets to you, I will have already researched the answer.
About the guy I work with, he’s our age or actually, your age since you’re a few months older than me. You two have the exact same birthday. He’s a nice guy and just about as nerdy as you. Do I detect a little jealousy in your handwriting?
The unjealous friend,
Clove
Dear Unjealous Friend
Sun. 06/18/17
Dear Unjealous Friend,
Hahaha. You’re so funny asking about the voices in my head. My conscience mostly sounds like my mom, my dad and you. I can hear all those country colloquialisms you say all the time like, “It’s hotter than a cat on a hot tin roof.” I always envision a cat scampering across a tin roof going “Ow, ow, hot, hot!” Poor kitty cat. When I’m reading your letters, I hear you reading them to me. Do you hear my voice when you read my letters?
No jealousy in my handwriting, just wondering if I’m about to be demoted from friend to acquaintance (I would have to prepare myself for something like that). Good to hear you’re meeting new people. What else have you been doing in Atlanta so far?
Your pro lists on both sides are very short, whereas your cons are very long. Be positive. Me and your grandmother can’t be the only reasons you want to stay. Add Almond to the list. Or how about adding the fact that Smalltown has four seasons and great places to travel and hike? Remember that time we went camping in Mousetail and there was a frog in your shower? You called it a pervert.
Also, think about how you love autumn in Smalltown: the leaves changing, the hot cocoa... the corn mazes.
Just kidding about the corn maze! I know you hated the haunted one we went to, but it’s such a funny memory. I still laugh at how you lost your shoe. How did you get all the way out of the maze without knowing you only had one shoe? Unbelievable.
If I haven’t told you before, I’m very proud of you for your walk through forgiveness. Almond doesn’t need to know the reason her mom is in jail. Can you imagine how devastating it would be for a seven-year-old kid to know their mom killed someone while driving intoxicated? I think talking to her is good for both of you. Try to listen. She obviously doesn’t have anyone else to talk to.
I’m sure by now, you’ve figured out that there’s a website you can use to type a braille letter to Almond. Then, to make the dots rise off the page, use glue and let it dry. That’s what I saw, but you may have other ideas or have found something else. Whatever you choose to do, I think staying in touch with Almond will be a good idea. I know it’s hard, but she needs you. The thing about kids is that one minute they’re really into something and then they move on quickly. Maybe I can get Mom to introduce my little brother to her. They’re about the same age. Mom says he could use some more friends in the area.
