Tracing Hearts Read Online Free Page B

number two…unless he’s a pest, then it means the second one.)
     
    Suggested nicknames for Victoria:
    -Vicki/Vikki (Spelled a ton of different ways)
    -Tori
    -Toria
    -Airotciv (Again, her name spelled backwards, though I don’t think it works as well in this case.)
    -Whinybutt
    My favorites are Drewfus and Toria, but you can make up your own mind.
    So, tell me about America. Is it still the same as it ever was? My home was in New York. I miss the scorching hot summers, and the cold, cold winters, and watching the snow fall, hoping to get a day off school. Sled riding with my best friend, Drew, was the highlight of my day. (It’s ironic that your parents are thinking of picking Andrew as the name of your could-be new brother.) I remember one time he wrecked on his sled. He was so mad to have ripped a hole in his brand new jeans. He wasn’t the toughest kid around, but he was hilarious, and we had a great time. I heard he started taking some kind of theater classes. He always wanted to be a performer. My dad questioned why I hung out with him. He had him pegged as being gay, but I didn’t care. He was my friend. Every once in a while, I wonder what he’s doing now.
    By the way, my teacher isn’t making a big deal out of writing to America anymore, so I was wondering if we could start writing to each other’s houses. If you don’t think it’s a good idea, I’ll understand. I just thought it might be nice to be able to write whenever we wanted to, instead of waiting a month or more in between. It’s just a thought. You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Just in case though, I’m going to give you my address.
    I can’t think of anything else to write, so I’m going to go. I hope to hear from you soon!
    Your friend,
    Sebastian
    PS. I’m not going to tell you my middle name. It’s awful.
     
    I lay the letter down on my desk. He sounds sort of sad. It must be hard being away from your home for so long. I sit back against my chair and think. What can I do to cheer him up? I decide to ask Mom for some advice, so I go downstairs to find her.
    “Mom?”
    “Shh. Victoria’s asleep. Let’s not wake her up,” she whispers. Mom takes my hand and leads me into the family room, which is just off the kitchen, and far away from sleeping Toria. “What I can do for you, honey?” she asks. Her eyes still look tired, but there’s an odd look of relief on her face too.
    “You know how I’ve been writing to a pen pal?” She nods. “Well, I got a letter from Sebastian today, and he seems sad. I think he misses being in America.”
    “I’m sure he does. I think that’s a normal reaction to having a father who’s in the military and being overseas.”
    “Yeah. I was wondering if there’s anything I can do to cheer him up.”
    She straightens slightly and twists her mouth, while rubbing her chin.
    “Hmm. Let’s think about what you might want if you were far from home and maybe a little homesick.”
    “I’d want my chocolate bunny,” I say.
    She smiles. “I know you would, but it’s too much money to send a package that far away. Besides, he’s a boy. Not many of them like stuffed animals.”
    I nod in agreement.
    “How about something from New York? That’s where he used to live,” I suggest.
    “I think that’s a great idea. How about if the next time you write to him, we include a postcard of his home town? That might cheer him up.”
    I smile and clap excitedly. I think that idea is perfect.
    “Thanks, Mom. You always know what to do,” I say, and I throw my arms around her.
    “Not always, but if I can help, I will.”
    The very next day, Mom finds a postcard from New York. She had to dig around online to get it, but it should be here in a couple days. I can’t wait to send him a little piece of home!

 
     
     
Chapter 3
     
     
    Sebastian
     
    My dad gets off duty and walks into our kitchen. He wraps his arms around my mom and kisses her from behind. She smiles and turns in his arms,