After Tony left in the morning, I sat down at the table to write Harvey another letter. 
     "How's the Air Force?  I'm considering joining..."  I started.
      I tried again: "I can appreciate why you ditched society..."
     My final attempt began as follows: "I understand why you left, but I don't like it.  I miss your company and your frizzy hair.  I miss fighting with your tiny hands for the last piece of pizza.  I actually don't understand why you took to the military, when there are plenty of better ways to demonstrate dedication for your people, like supporting your community, a commitment which asks only that you stick around."
      Had the letter not been abandoned, when I realized that I could never envision his reply since I had never intended to send it, had it been sent and then read and reread and contemplated and reread, I have no doubt that my life would unfold very differently.