Kisses from Yesterday

Episode 5: The Note

Joni was never one to sit still for long. Her energy was boundless, and she filled her days with all sorts of activities. From picking wildflowers in the meadow to climbing trees and playing in the creek by the woods, there was always something to keep her busy. But today, the afternoon had cast a spell of calm over her. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden light that seemed to soften everything it touched. Even the usual summer sounds—the chirping of cicadas, the rustling of leaves in the breeze—seemed quieter today, as though the world was holding its breath.

She sat under the grand oak tree in the backyard, a place that had always been her refuge. Its thick branches stretched above her like the arms of an old friend, offering shade and shelter from the heat. She pulled her knees to her chest and let her gaze drift toward the treehouse she and Jimmy had been building for weeks. It was still unfinished—wooden planks and beams stacked haphazardly, with only a vague shape resembling a structure. But every time Joni looked at it, she didn’t just see the rough edges or the lack of a roof. She saw the grand adventure it would become, the secret hideaway that she and Jimmy would inhabit for hours at a time, escaping into worlds of their own creation.

Joni’s thoughts drifted to Jimmy, her best friend and constant companion. He was 15, a teenager now, while she was still just eight. Despite the age difference, they were inseparable. Jimmy had always been there for her, showing her how to climb trees, how to build things, and how to find joy in the little things. He had an easy smile and a steady hand, and in so many ways, he felt like the older brother Joni had always wished for. He was the kind of person who made her world feel safe and exciting all at once. When they were together, the world seemed full of possibilities.

But as Joni sat beneath the oak tree, something shifted within her. She realized, in a quiet moment of clarity, that her feelings for Jimmy were more than just friendship. She couldn’t name what she was feeling, not yet. She didn’t understand it fully. But she knew it was different from the way she felt about the other kids in the neighborhood, different from the way she felt about her parents. There was something more when she thought of Jimmy, something that made her heart flutter in her chest.

Joni took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for her notebook. She had always enjoyed writing—whether it was scribbling down the funny things that happened during their adventures or trying to capture the beauty of the world around her. But today, the words felt heavier. She didn’t know exactly how to express what was in her heart, but she knew she had to try.

She picked up her pencil and began to write.

Dear Jimmy,

I don’t really know how to say this, but I want you to know how much I enjoy being with you. I like it when we play in the woods, or when we build things together. You always make everything more fun, and when we’re together, I feel like nothing bad can happen. I don’t really know what I’m supposed to say or if I’m saying the right thing, but I just want you to know that I hope we can always be friends. I think you’re the best person in the whole world.

Your friend, Joni

When she finished, Joni read over the note several times, making sure it said what she meant. She wasn’t sure if what she felt for Jimmy was something that could be explained with words. After all, she was just a kid. But the words in her letter felt true, like they came straight from her heart. She wanted Jimmy to know how much he meant to her, how much she valued their time together. She wanted him to know that her feelings for him were special, even if she didn’t fully understand them yet.

With a soft sigh, Joni folded the note carefully, pressing the edges until they were crisp. She tucked it under her arm, uncertain of what to expect. All she knew was that she needed to give it to him. He had always been there for her, and she trusted him. Whatever happened, she knew Jimmy would understand.

The walk to Jimmy’s house was a familiar one, but today it felt different. The air was warm, and the scent of fresh grass filled her nose as she made her way down the dirt path that led from her house to his. She could hear the distant sound of birds chirping, but it all seemed so far away. Her heart beat a little faster as she neared Jimmy’s porch. She wasn’t sure what would happen when she gave him the note, but she knew she needed to find out.

As she approached the house, she spotted Jimmy sitting on the front porch steps, his legs stretched out in front of him, his comic book resting in his lap. He looked up as he heard her footsteps, a grin spreading across his face when he saw her.

“Hey, Joni!” he called out, his voice full of warmth.

“Hey, Jimmy!” Joni called back, her voice carrying the excitement she felt deep inside.

She walked up to him, holding out the note with both hands. “I wrote something for you,” she said, her voice shy.

Jimmy raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “For me? What does it say?”

Joni bit her lip nervously. She had never written a letter like this before. “Just read it,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

With a teasing chuckle, Jimmy took the note from her hands and unfolded it. Joni watched him closely as he read, her heart racing. She could see his brow furrow as he reached the end of the note, and for a brief moment, he was silent. His smile faded, and his eyes seemed to search for the right words.

“Joni,” he said softly, his voice gentle but full of concern. “This is really sweet, but… you don’t need to worry about all this right now. You’re still just a kid, and you’ve got so much more to experience.” He paused, clearly trying to find the right words. “You don’t have to feel like this with me. I care about you, of course, but…”

Joni’s heart sank as she watched his face change. She hadn’t expected this. She had thought that maybe Jimmy would feel the same way she did, or at least understand. But instead, his response felt like a cold bucket of water poured over her, and she suddenly felt very small.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, looking down at her shoes. “I didn’t mean to make things weird.”

Jimmy sighed, his expression softening. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “No, Joni, it’s not weird. It’s just… I think you might be feeling something a little different than what I feel right now. You’re still growing up, and there’s so much you haven’t experienced yet. I don’t want you to rush into things.”

Joni nodded slowly, but her chest tightened with confusion. She didn’t fully understand what Jimmy meant, but his words made her question everything she had written. Had she said the wrong thing? Had she made things complicated when she hadn’t meant to?

“I just want to make sure you’re okay,” Jimmy added, his voice kind and reassuring. “I’m always going to be here for you, Joni. You’re my best friend, and that won’t ever change.”

Joni tried to smile, but it felt weak. “Okay,” she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper.

With a soft pat on the back, Jimmy gave her a warm smile. “Don’t worry, we’ll still have lots of fun together. No matter what.”

Joni nodded, her heart still heavy with uncertainty. She wasn’t sure what was happening between her and Jimmy, but one thing was clear: he cared for her, and he didn’t want things to change. That was enough for now.

She walked back home, her mind swirling with thoughts. Had she done something wrong? She had wanted to tell Jimmy how much he meant to her, but now everything seemed more complicated. She wasn’t sure if she understood her feelings, but she knew she couldn’t just forget them.

That night, as she lay in bed, Joni couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that clung to her. She thought about the note, about what Jimmy had said. She didn’t want things to change between them, but what if her feelings were more than just friendship? What if she was already changing in ways she didn’t understand?

She hugged her pillow tightly, trying to make sense of it all. The world seemed so much more complicated than it had been before, and for the first time, Joni wasn’t sure what to do.

But as sleep finally settled over her, one thing remained certain: no matter what happened, she wanted Jimmy to always be her best friend.