She didn't just think it, she did it.
Claudia put Beverly in charge of her home salon and traveled with Caleb to another state.
Before she left, she made sure to spend time with her family and the Bolton's family. They all supported her dream and journey, and she was grateful to have understanding people in her lives.
As they both settled into the hotel rooms they booked, Claudia took out a letter from her bag.
Justin had written 5 letters for her to read once a week while waiting for him. The last sentence he had said over the phone stayed in a safe place in her heart.
"I hope I'll make it back to you before the fifth letter is opened."
This was the first letter.
"Winnie,
By the time you read this, I'll be gone for a week already. What would we have done if I were around? You'd be away at work while I was home waiting for your return. I'd keep tabs on you since "that guy" would be around you.
Now that I got you smiling, let me tell you a story about someone dear to me. I met this someone accidentally a little more than 5 years ago. I was on my way out when the laughter of that someone stunned me.
That someone was dressed so simple, but there was an air of elegance present. Just one look was enough for me to make the decision of wanting to be a part of that someone's life. That decision was the best I had made in my entire life.
Why am I telling you this? Because I want to share everything with you. I want to be transparent before you. I want to make up for the time we missed. The things we should have discussed then, the most important person in my life, I'll tell you through this letters.
Don't worry. It's not about a rival. No evil ex-girlfriend is going to pop out of from somewhere. I belong solely to you. Just try to spend less time with "that guy". Work diligently and think about me more. I miss you a lot. I love you more than you know.
I'll be back soon.
Love J."
When she was done reading the letter, she scanned through it again and again to look for clues about "that someone."
Justin respected his dad a lot and adored his mom, but they were obviously not "that someone." He usually called Kevin stupid, so there was no way he was the one with an air of elegance.
"As long as it wasn't a girl," she thought to herself.
She was tempted to rip open the remaining 4 letters, but she held back since she promised she wouldn't. It would have been better to hear the story told by him, and not having to read about it.
She prayed silently in her heart for her lover to return safe.