The Red Letter 2: The Aftermath

The Red Letter 2: The Aftermath
By Jake Heraty

I sat down in my room and stared at the ceiling. I looked at the letter in my hands. Wow it is really happening. I couldn’t believe it! What did I do so wrong that this happened? I stared at the doorway and sighed. This will be the last time I might be able to see out this doorway. I stand up and walk out of my room.

I walked into the bathroom and looked into the mirror and heaved a great sigh. I walked downstairs and looked at the empty kitchen. I stared at the table that less than a month ago I brought the letter of doom into this very kitchen. I shook that thought outta my head. I got less than a week. Less than a week!


I walked into the office and my mother was typing on the computer. I sat down and stared at the wall.

“You okay?” asked my mother without looking at me.


I turned and answered her, “Jeez I don’t know mom; I find out I only have a week to pack up and leave! You answer me!”


She turned to me, “I know, I know.”


I looked at the wall again and sighed, four more days left in this house.


I awoke early because I had to start to pack up. I had little less than three days left to pack everything up! I got out of bed and jumped in the shower. I got dressed and started to pack.

I grabbed over four suitcases, two backpacks and three briefcases. I started to pack everything, all from clothes to sheets to laptops and cameras. I started to move some furniture out to grab my stuff underneath my bed. I slowly packed mostly all of my clothes and linens.

I finally got downstairs at around 12:26 pm and grabbed lunch. Then I saw and envelope with my name on it, which caught my attention.


On the envelope it read:

Zach S. Williams
238 Downing Street; San Diego, California


I looked around to see if my mother was in the kitchen or not. When I found out that my mother was not around I quickly grabbed the letter. I opened the letter and started to read it. It said:

Dear the Guardians of Mr. Zachary Williams,
Your child Mr. Zachary Williams has been accepted at Belleview Prep Academy. The academic period starts on April 14th. You child will be have room and board at this academy!
Thank You,
Dean: Greg Easters


I quickly slipped back into the envelope and ran back into my room.


Two days left…


I awoke again the next day early. I did my usual, shower, dress, work. I got all my furniture unbolted and unscrewed. Taking piece by piece into piles; then taking those piles; and boxed them. Then I took everything into boxes and loaded them into a small trailer down in the basement.

Then I hear a voice behind me, “Wow, it looks like you are almost done!”

I didn’t turn, I just kept on loading the truck, “Yeah uh huh.”

My mom then coughed, “Um honey did you take a letter off the counter?”

My blood ran cold; I forgot to double seal it!

I replied to her honestly, “Yeah, I did why it matters?”

My mom shrugged a bit, “Just wondering.”

I went to bed that night tired.

One more day left…

I awoke to my empty room and just sighed. This was the last day. I got up and got dressed. I double checked everything. I went downstairs and loaded the last few things from my room. I turned and looked at all my bags at the door.

Boarding school; that was in the contents of the letter that was sent home a month ago. Belleview Preparatory Academy is one of the top boarding schools in California. Belleview was picked by my mother. I only had a week because the next term started in April.


I left home after that day but then I found a letter that said...