for the Discord 1p4a “Travel”
The first postcard, at the top of the board, is a collection of four photos. Three of them are landmarks, a picture of the Port of Liverpool, the Royal Liver Building, the largest Anglican Cathedral in Europe and the last one, a famous statue of Liverpool's most famous band: The Beatles.
Rebecca unpins the postcard, flips it in her hands, finds her neat writing at the back.
Ted keeps staring at me so I gourds I have to write something. He wants to send this bloody postcard so that we find it when we get home. So here I am. 200 miles from home, I am writing something for us to find when we get home. Rebecca&Ted
She recalls Ted's laughter when they entered her home, their home, how he had turned the postcard in his fingers, tracing the single words, the way she had spelled his name right next to hers.
One week later he had showed up with a cork board and some colorful pins.
“For the postcards.” He had explained.
And Rebecca had sighed, knowing the postcard thing wasn't going to be a one time thing.
The second postcard, top right, is a picture of Union Station. Huge block yellow letters with a thick black outline spell Greetings From Kansas City in the center, covering half of the image. Rebecca remembers the text she had written on the backside by heart. She takes it anyway.
Another trip, another bloody postcard. In case it wasn't clear enough, we were in Kansas. Ted is pretending not to look at me, but I know you are, you little minx. I'm wasting so much time writing this, there'll be no time left for kisses. I'm furious. Rebecca&Ted
With a small smile, Rebecca puts the postcard back. Memories of their first trip to Kansas crowd her mind and there had, indeed, been time left for kisses.The thought makes her heart flutter.
The next postcard doesn't have a city name, just a self explanatory landmark: the Tour Eiffel. It had been their first Valentine's Day and Ted, romantic, sap Ted, had organized them a short trip in the city of love.
“I've never been.” He had explained when Rebecca had made a face at the insufferable cliche. “I thought, what better time to go than Valentine's Day?” He had kissed her nose, grabbed her hand. “And what better company than my soulmate?”
And how could Rebecca resist that? Behind the postcard, just some rushed words:
The disappointed look on Ted's face when they had gotten home and found the postcard fills her with sadness even years later
Right beside the Paris postcard is one from another European capital. A collage of smaller pictures featuring the Brandenburger Gate, the Dome and random pieces of the Wall. Rebecca smiles at the memory of their time in Berlin, so gray and so rainy they spent most of the time tucked away in little bars and pubs.
Hello postcard, my old friend. Once again, I am putting a little bit more effort in this. Ted was so disappointed after Paris, he almost didn't want to send anything. So I'm really trying. Hi Ted. You are handsome, I love you. Rebecca (&Ted)
The smile on Ted's lips when the postman had delivered the postcard, how he had rushed into the kitchen, beaming, how tightly he had hugged her to his chest, lovingly.
“I love you too.” He had whispered. “Let's travel more in the summer.”
The colors of the next postcards are Rebecca's favourite. Pink flowers, white houses and blue sky. Rebecca turns it and looks at the childish handwriting, the little drawing of a cat in the top corner, next to the stamp.
Dad, Rebecca and I are in Greece and it is awesome. The whea weather is great and I don’t want to go home. Rebecca says she stinks like garlic all the time and Dad always kisses her. There is cats everywhere and I could pet one, today. Best vacation ever! Henry, Rebecca & Ted
Their time in Greece had been wonderful. The early mornings on the beach, the long dips in the crystalline waters, Henry's enthusiasm to try out all water sports. Years later, she can still hear Ted's laughter when she fell from the kite surf, remembers his screams when she pushed him down with her. She still feels his hands on her sun-kissed skin, still tastes the salt on his chin and smells the summer breeze in their hotel room.
Right next to it, a postcard from another island. When Ted had proposed, it had taken Keeley one week to organize the perfect hen do for Rebecca. That's how Rebecca had ended up in Fuerteventura with Keeley and Sassy, both her best friends pushing spanish men and colorful cocktails in her direction.
My dear love, I miss you terribly. Keeley keeps making me drink, says it's my last trip as a single woman and that I should enjoy it. I do, but I wish you were here with me. Which, I know, it's not the point of a hen bachelorette. Can't wait to marry you. R.
Reading over the text, Rebecca blushes slightly, incredibly embarrassed of how romantic and unbearable Ted has made her through the years.
The next postcard is a perfect representation of this. Rebecca moves aside the postcard from Greece, reminding herself she should hang it better so that it doesn't cover the others. Another day, maybe. She looks at the white sand, the blue sea, the clear sky. The letters in the middle spell Mexico, two palms in the background.
This is the first postcard as Mr. and Mrs. Welton-Lasso. I still hate them. There is no point, we are taking so many pictures. Mexico is dreamy. Perfect place for the perfect honeymoon. With the perfect man. Rebecca & Ted Welton-Lasso
Her gaze lingers on the names and on the address line, now featuring her second Surname. Welton-Lasso. It feels right.
Rebecca hangs the postcard back in place and finally takes the most recent one from the pile of mail on the counter. She looks at the Chureito Temple and Mount Fuji in the background, already missing Japan and its gorgeous nature, the busy cities, the tasty foods.
Coming up behind her, Ted hugs her waist and peeks over her shoulder.
When he sees the postcard, Ted widens his eyes. “What? It's here already? No way!”
“We've been gone for a while.” Rebecca argues, moving to take a free pin and hanging the postcard in the bottom corner of the cork board.
Before poking a whole through the light carton, though, she turns it around, showing Ted the text.
I guess postcards aren’t that stupid when trying to remember a language
愛してる (Ai shiteru) = I love you (deeply)
好きだ (Suki da) = I like you (not platonic)
大好きだ (Daisuki da) = I really like you (大 big)
Rebecca & Ted Welton-Lasso
She feels Ted smile and hears his approving hum.
“We will need to get a new board. This is full.” Rebecca points out, finally hanging the postcard.
Brushing his nose against her neck he squeezes her closer.
“I thought you hated them.”
“What can I say, Coach. You changed me.”
