03.23.2016
Dear David,
I didn’t have enough time in my three minutes to tell you everything, so I wrote a letter.
Michael told me yesterday that when you first got to China and were mugged, you were feeling pretty shitty about moving there. And that he was thankful that I came a few months after because it sounded like you were happy and finally having fun. You weren’t regretting moving to Shanghai so much. Michael thanked me for taking care of you and saving you from loneliness.
But I still think you saved me.
Me and Flora.
You gave us a space to go home to and a little family of weirdos to go on adventures with. In a city that is unforgiving like Shanghai, that family was the greatest gift I could have gotten in this short life of mine.
I didn’t think I would ever say this, but I’m very grateful that fate brought me to China. To have been able to meet you both and spend that summer with you is still to this day, some of my favorite memories.
Even after four years, we’re still laughing about Flora’s adamant assertion that she is a lady (with some milk). About the time the Japanese toilet in your bathroom shot out at us. About the spicy Thai salad you made, that I sweated through eating. About the time we had a little room service dinner on your suite’s dining room table. About the time I sang at Candy’s wedding in Chinese and won a giant rabbit. About when we watched in horror as Ned Stark’s head rolled off the screen.
“Maybe he missed?”
I was surprised you remembered so much of it. You said you only remember the important things. I realize now that the same must be true for me because I remember China as vividly as three years ago - it was very much important to my life as well. It is still the summer I remember the best. And the summer I learned the most. From you.
It took a while, but I’m finally bawling my eyes out as I write this because my heart swells with the happiness you have found. It brings no end to my joy to know that you are both just as wonderful as I remember and probably loads happier together. Of course, it’s also bittersweet because I’ve been given a whole week with you and now I have to leave you again.
It’s never enough time with family.
If you ever need me, I’m there. Whether it’s babysitting or helping with moving or anything, I can do it! I’ll work on proving I’m reliable, haha. I don’t want to be the ‘worst employee ever’ for much longer. Hearing Marlon rave about you and your work ethic really struck a chord with me. I’ll try my best to grow up and be someone you’d be proud of (who doesn’t waste daddy’s money). But I’d love to be your kid regardless if I finally become an adult.
So when I’m president one day, I’ll have you both stay with me in the White House. Hopefully, I won’t be peeing on any couches there.
Thank you for being my room mate that summer. For opening your home to me and keeping me company. Thank you for training me at the gym and cooking for me - everything was delicious. You’ll give Michael a run for his money! (Of course, he told me not to tell you that.) I really do hope you’ll open a restaurant one day. It will be as amazing as I envision you will make it.
Thank you for making me a part of your wedding. It was lovely. It was almost as beautiful as Flora is - you’ve done good picking your “lady”. Make sure to have some milk for the both of us.
Thank you for letting me meet your family and become a part of it. I don’t really have the words to express how grateful I am for that. You not only helped me with my relationship with my family back home, but you gave me another family to be a part of. I would have loved to have you both in my life growing up. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you, dickhead.
Now go be happy.
See you soon,
Chicken