There Are No Butterflies on Proxima B
by Kyle Robert Annasenz
Dear Jon,
How are you? I am well. I am writing you this letter from the ship. Yesterday me and Maman and Papa woke up in the space beds. We had already arrived at the colonies! It felt like a very long time but we were still so sleepy. I had a dream about the caterpillars in our classroom and you were there; they finally left their cocoons and became beautiful butterflies. I wanted to tell Maman about my dream but she was crying so I think she must have had a nightmare. She said she misses Auntie Kay and grandma but Papa wants us to be happy so we should try to be happy. Papa knows what is best for us. He says, "We are lucky we can leave the past behind and have a fresh start as a family." I asked Papa how long until we go home to Earth and I can see you. He patted my head and told me to go to the games room and make some new friends. Maman hugged me. I told her not to cry, we will be home soon where everyone will be happy to see us.
