More Than Pen Pals by Dana Wilkerson
prologue
January 27, 1973
Dear Ashley,
Hi, I’m Leslie. I’ve never had a pen pal before. Have you? I think it’s neat you live near Chicago (my dad told me Evanston is north of Chicago). I love big cities. I live outside a small town in Arkansas, but I guess you know that, because you have my address. My dad works in Little Rock, but that’s not a very big city.
I’ll be ten on Valentine’s Day. I don’t like having a birthday on a holiday. Everyone forgets about me. Plus, I’m a twin, so I have to share my birthday anyway. I know you’re also in fourth grade, but are you nine or ten?
What do you like to do for fun? I enjoy sleepovers with my friends, playing tennis, and watching baseball with my dad. My favorite team is the Cardinals. Since you live in Chicago, do you cheer for the Cubs or the White Sox?
I’m sending you a picture of my family. That’s my parents, me, my twin Shannon, and my little sister Cynthia. How many people are in your family?
Please write back soon.
Sincerely,
Leslie Beckett
* * *
February 10, 1973
Dear Leslie,
I've never had a pen pal. My teacher made us do it this year.
Chicago is fine. My dad’s office is in the city. He’s a lawyer. I go to work with him sometimes when I’m not in school.
Have you ever been to Chicago? I've never been to Arkansas.
I play tennis, too.
The Cubs are my favorite team.
I’m ten. My birthday is on Halloween, so I know what you mean about people forgetting you on your birthday.
What’s your favorite subject in school? Mine is history.
Sorry I don’t have a picture to send. I’ll ask my mom if she can get me one.
I have two baby sisters and one brother who’s a year older than me. His name is Randall.
I hope you have a good birthday.
Sincerely,
Ash Hamilton
* * *
February 16, 1973
Dear Ash,
Ash is a funny nickname. Does everyone call you that? Some people call me Les, but Les isn’t a real word. Ash is.
My birthday was fun. I had some friends over. We played Boggle and Uno and Twister and we listened to music. I like the Osmonds and Stevie Wonder. What music do you like?
My favorite subjects are English, reading, and writing. I want to work at a newspaper when I grow up. What do you want to do?
I have never been to Illinois. Does it get really cold in Chicago in the winter?
Since you’re a Cubs fan, I don’t think we can be friends. Just kidding. Who’s your favorite baseball player? Mine is Lou Brock.
Please send a picture. I want to see you in my head when I write to you. Right now I imagine what you look like, but I’m probably wrong. I would ask you what color your hair is, but I’ll see it when you send that picture.
Your friend,
Les
* * *
July 9, 1973
Dear Les,
I’m finally sending you a picture of my family. I’m sorry I didn’t send one before, but my dog chewed up the first one my mom gave me and then I forgot to get another one. I’m the one in the blue and red striped shirt.
I haven’t written to you in a month because I was at camp in Wisconsin. Randall and I both went. It’s fun being outside all the time and playing sports and stuff. I don’t like making crafts, though. I wish they didn’t make us do them, but if we complained we got in trouble.
The other thing I didn’t like about camp is there were a couple boys that were mean to me, and the counselors didn’t care.
Do you and Shannon go to camp?
Is it strange having a girl as your twin? I think it would be.
Sincerely,
Ash
* * *
July 16, 1973
“Aunt Star, I need your help.” I settle next to my aunt on her couch with the envelope from Ash.
“What is it, Les? You know I’ll always help you, kiddo.”
“I have a pen pal. We’ve been writing to each other since January.”
“That sounds fun. What’s her name?”
I bend the envelope back and forth. “Um, Ashley. I thought she was a girl, but she’s not. She’s a boy.”
I show my aunt the letter and photo I got in the mail the day before I left home to visit her and my grandparents in Missouri.
“See?” I hold up the picture. “The kid in the blue-and-red striped shirt is a boy.”
“Yes, he is.”
“And look at what he said in his letter about being twins with a girl.” I point out the last paragraph. “I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m a boy and Shannon is a girl. Both of us were in the picture I sent him, so he has us mixed up.”
Aunt Star nods. “I think you’re right, so you need to tell him you’re a girl. You also need to tell your parents he’s a boy.”
“Do I have to tell him?”
Her eyebrows raise. “Why wouldn’t you want to?”
I lean my head against her shoulder. “I like having a pen pal. And I like Ash, even if he’s a boy. I’m afraid he won’t want to keep writing to me if he knows I’m a girl.”
“Maybe so, but you need to be honest with him, honey. That’s the most important thing in a friendship.”