Chapter Text
21st April 18-- to 12th July of the same year
21st April 18--
My dearest friend,
It pains me deeply not to have heard from you in so long. Do you wish me to believe you are still scorning me for what happened well over two months ago? I know your skull is thick, but are you not aware that your stubbornness can hardly rival mine?
Things have been good these past few weeks, now that the weather is growing warmer. The lake near my home is thawing; do you remember it, still? We haven’t seen each other in so long [a passage hastily blacked out in ink, about three lines in total. Indecipherable.]
Write back,you worry me. I have to know how long you will stay, if you still plan on joining me this summer as discussed. If not, just say so, you big jerk. I’ll have to arrange for someone to take care of the house and boat while I go track my way through torn lands until I arrive on your door step, seize your head with my hands and wrestle you back into speaking relations myself.
The sun does not seem to shine as bright when your cold shoulder weighs heavy on my mind.
Yours impatiently,
Christian Østergaard
25th April 18-- , 3: 54 p.m.
AWAITING YOUR RESPONSE STOP KNOW POSTAL SERVICE OPERATIONAL STOP FLOWERS BLOOMING CHRISTIAN
27th April 18--, 3:33 p.m.
RESPOND FASTEST POSSIBLE STOP SILENCE IS LAUGHABLE CHRISTIAN
27th April 18--, 8: 28 p.m.
(Reply paid)
SORRY FOR BEHAVIOR STOP MISS YOU CHRISTIAN
29th April 18--, 9:25 a.m.
CEASE BOMBARDING ME STOP ALRIGHT AND WELL STOP LETTER TO FOLLOW DE VRIES
1st of May, 18--
Christian,
You utter fool.
Mere months without supervision, and you turn towards poetry? As always, you fail to see the world is bigger than yourself; I have been tangled up in business relations these past weeks, unforeseeable complications that required my presence. Do not worry, as you are prone to do, I am quite alright and have returned a healthy profit.
I’ve learned long ago that holding grudges against you is a useless waste of energy. My anger is long gone, and I am sure you have learned nothing of the ordeal. No doubt you will do it again. No doubt I will, as now, forgive you. How ever it came to be – be sure that I ask myself daily – our friendship is something I came to cherish.
I received your invitation, as I received the other twenty something letters you sent me in my brief absence. Regretfully, I will not be able to stay a whole month, but two to three weeks at most. Business. You understand.
Signed faithfully,
Arjen De Vries
6th May, 18--
Arjen, my friend among friends!
To think that a reply of yours would ever exceed two paragraphs, and then crafted with such unusual gentleness. You must have made a fortune in the trades you write of, to put you in such a mood! It is so good to hear from you, daresay in the poetic waxing you accuse me of, that the clouds blocking the sunlight have finally lifted from view. [scribbled in black ink, a caricature of a bright sun is drawn in the margins]
I can hardly wait for summer; they tell me it is going to be one of our warmest yet. We can survive in the woods for days if we want – the shack I told you I am building barely needs more work – and take the boat for tours without end. If all your business-doing hasn’t left you too exhausted, that is. Can you not hand some of the workload to your siblings? I was of the impression you trusted them, that they were trustworthy, crafty people. Do not forget to enjoy life, or I see myself forced to come remind you.
Yours sincerely,
Christian Østergaard
P.S.: Enclosed a flower I thought was pretty in the envelope. You probably noticed. I remember how you revere those flowers of yours.
12th July, 18--
Dear friend,
Mere days before you finally arrive in Danmark, and still I must write you one last time.
Travel light, and travel fast. It is becoming unbearably hot, a summer warmer than any of our forefathers have seen. Upon arrival you may laugh at me for being unreasonable, as I am used to colder weathers, but I assure you, you will want to leave your scarf and hair wax at home.
Rumors and reports of a quake-like tremor near the coast have reached me recently. I do not know how serious to take them, but I trust you to take care if you should travel short distances by carriage.
Here’s to hoping that this letter arrives before your departure.
Yours as always,
Christian Østergaard