Love, Ken
written by
Kenneth Rines
&
edited by
Bryan Batcher
a
Faceless Gnome
Publication
Contents
Monsters, 1
Letter #1
Fallout, 1
Letter #2
Blast
Letter #3
Monsters, 2
Letter #4
Pray
Letter #5
Fire, 1
Letter #6
Fallout, 2
Letter #7
Lover
Letter #8
Monsters, 3
Letter #9
Fallout, 3
Letter #10
Stop
Letter #11
Fire, 2
Letter #12
Fallout, 4
Letter #13
Monsters, 4
Letter #14
Afterword
Monsters, 1
Teddy walked through his backyard, heading for the trees. He didn’t tell his parents about the bright light because he wanted to see it before they did. Teddy had no idea what the light was, but he wanted to find out. When he made it to the trees, he suddenly became very afraid. It was dark out, and he had forgotten about the monsters in all the excitement over the light. He started shaking, tears formed in his eyes, and he started whining. He turned and ran to the house. He heard one of the monsters chasing him and he ran faster. He ran in through the back door and ran through the kitchen and the dining room, right into his parents’ bedroom.
Teddy cried to his parents that a monster was chasing him and they woke up. His father held him in his arms as both he and Teddy’s mother told him everything would be okay. Teddy asked his mom and dad if he could sleep with them and they said he could.
Teddy forgot about the bright light when he sat down to eat his Cheerios the next morning. It was the first day of kindergarten and he was very excited. He had his backpack and his pencils all ready to go. He had on his brand new shirt and new shoes and had taken a bath the night before. He was prepared.
When Teddy’s mother put the bowl of Cheerios in front of him, he dove in. He was starving. After his third or fourth bite, he wanted to get a drink out of the fridge. As got up from the small table he was sitting at, he accidentally hit the bowl with his arm, tipping it over and spilling milk all over his shirt and pants.
Tears instantly began flowing from his eyes. He kept telling his mother he was sorry for ruining the new shirt. She kept telling him it was okay as she took his shirt off and cleaned him up. She changed all of his clothes and kissed him and told him that it was okay and that she could buy another shirt.
When Teddy stopped crying, his mother brought him another bowl of Cheerios and a glass of orange juice. Teddy carefully finished his breakfast and his mother drove him to school.
Teddy didn’t like sitting in the front seat even though his mother said he could. The monsters could see him in the front seat. He peeked out the window as the car drove on. The monsters were everywhere. Teddy was happy to be in a locked car where they couldn’t get him.
When Teddy and his mom got out of the car, he clung to her arm all the way to the door of the school. He was excited to be going to school. His friend Billy had told him all about it. You got to play games, have fun, and learn neat things.
When they got in, Teddy’s mom talked to a nice lady who took Teddy and his mom to the classroom, but Teddy did not want to go in. When the nice lady opened the door, he saw a monster in the room.
Teddy started screaming and yelling that he didn’t want to go in. He yelled that the monster was going to get him. His mother held him and said that the monsters couldn’t hurt him there.
She didn’t know what the monsters were.
Teddy wanted to make his mom happy, so he went into the room with the monster.
Billy lied.
The monster wouldn’t stop talking to Teddy. Teddy wanted to play and learn, but the monster wouldn’t let him. So he hid in a corner. One of the other kids wanted to play with him, and Teddy tried, but the monster came back every time. Teddy could not touch a toy without the monster coming to him. So Teddy just stayed in the corner until it was time to go home.
Teddy’s mother walked into the room and Teddy ran over to her and hugged her tightly. Then Teddy’s father walked in behind her and Teddy hugged him, too. He asked his father to take him away from the monster and they went home.
Teddy did not look out the window on the way home. He wanted to hide in his room where the monsters never found him.
That night, Teddy saw the bright light again. His parents were asleep. This time, Teddy brought a flashlight. He snuck out of his room, down the hall, through the kitchen, and quietly out the back door. On the back porch, Teddy looked up and saw the light above the trees. It blinked three times and then moved down into them. Teddy put together all of his courage and walked across the yard to the trees. He kept looking around with the flashlight for monsters and didn’t see any. He walked into the trees and he could barely see the light in the distance. He followed it, being careful to make sure there were no monsters. When he got to the light, it was very bright. He reached out to touch it, but before he could reach it, it flew up and out of the trees.
He called for it to come back, but it didn’t.
The next day, Teddy was in a different classroom. This one had no monsters in it. That made him very happy. He got to play games with the other kids and he got to learn some new numbers. He also made new friends.
Teddy also liked Miss Payton. She was really nice to him. She helped Teddy stay inside the lines when they were coloring by guiding his hand. Her touch felt good. She had smooth skin.
Teddy did not want to go home. He was excited when his parents were late because he got to be near Miss Payton longer. Then a monster came into the room. Teddy ran to Miss Payton and wrapped his arms around her. He was yelling about the monster and she tried to calm him down. She hugged him and wiped away his tears. He loved her touching him. He got a smile on his face, but started screaming again when he saw another monster.
Finally, Teddy’s parents showed up. He ran to them and begged to leave. His father sat with him on the ride home and held him. He knew he was safe in his father’s arms.
That night, Teddy saw the bright light once more. He was determined to find out what it was.
Dear Missy,
I have much to tell you about my trip. The mail also takes some time to get out of this town, so I should have much to tell you in future letters, as well. I doubt I will ever fly again, as my plane trip was dreadful. Everyone in the airport was so rude. People were pushing past other people. The employees acted towards me as if they didn’t get paid to answer my questions.
There was one woman who was polite. She reminded me of you, Missy. Her hair was the same auburn color yours used to be. Do you remember that time? We were just kids, then. Seeing her made me think of the summer we built a tree house. Grandpa helped us a lot, but we put some of it together. You remember, don’t you? You held the railing in place while I hammered the nails in. Grandpa was so scared you would fall. Do you remember how we teased him? I said, “Look out!” and you acted like you were about to fall. He ran over so fast to catch you. When we started giggling he got so angry.
We had so much fun in that tree house – all the games we played and the things we made. I hope you remember it as well as I do.
I’ll never forget the day you helped me write that love note to Theresa. Mine was so horrible, but the one you helped me with was great. Who knew then that it would end with her and me getting married? I don’t even remember what it said, but it did the trick.
This cabin is a great place for me to start working again. I even started something new before I got to writing this letter. The isolation and the peacefulness here let me think clearly. It’s nice. I haven’t been able to do that for a long time.
So, how is James? Last you told me he was moving closer to you. Did that ever happen? It would be good for the girls. They need someone like him in their lives. You need someone like him in your life. You deserve happiness.
My head is starting to hurt. I’ve been getting headaches for a while now and I’ve realized that my work is the only thing that eases them. I’ll send this letter off and wait for your reply. I hope it comes soon.
Love,
Ken
Fallout, 1
Chuck made his way into the first building of the day. Packed suitcases lined the walls of the hallways and the people inside were waiting patiently to be processed. That, at least, was what Chuck assumed.
“How many Medical Officers do we have today?” Chuck asked his Assistant Relocation Officer.
“Four, sir.”
“Why so few? It’s not like we have a shortage.”
“They’re spread out thin, sir. It’s the first day.”
Chuck shook his head. “Twenty years of this and I still forget how busy the first day is.”
“Selective memory, if you ask me, sir.” The ARO replied.
“You’re probably right. Let’s get started.” Chuck went apartment by apartment checking people’s baggage and rooms to make sure everything was in order. His ARO followed after him, checking each resident into the system. The first three floors of the building went surprisingly well. As he entered the last apartment on the third floor he found it hard to keep his composure.
“Ms. Harib, it’s nice to see