***Edit: I was quite literally falling asleep while writing this last night- and I do mean actually typing with my eyes closed, nodding off, and then waking up to try and figure out what I was trying to write to make sure I got to 1000 words. I could just edit what i've written, but I decided to leave it all as is considering the point is to post not post something spectacular. This is a lesson in doing this earlier in the day...
PROMPT: Write a story where love is created and maintained over a distance. The length and nature of that distance is up to you. It could be the distance between two continents, two cities, or even just between two windows or the rooftops of two neighboring buildings. What lies between, physically and metaphorically? What are the barriers that must be overcome? Are they overcome? How?
Dear Melodee,
I
know you told me not to write. But that was six years ago, and I think I still have
things to say. I’ve been doing well. I’ve switched jobs three times since we
last saw each other. I think I’ve settled this time for a while. Work place is
good. People are nice. I get to make as much tea or coffee as I want in the
office kitchen. Life is good.
I
think of you less now than I used to. There was a long time when things would
remind me of you everywhere I went. It wouldn’t send me into a depression. I
wouldn’t freeze and not be able to carry on with my day. It was just strange to
me that I couldn’t call you up and tell you about them. That I couldn’t write a
puzzle into one of our letters to help you figure out my day for yourself.
It was always small things. A
specific orange color that reminded me of the dress that you have that you wear
when people are going to want you to be in pictures. The chuckle that I
sometimes hear in a bar or a restaurant that makes me think of your laugh when
you were humoring because what I said wasn’t actually funny. It used to happen
all the time, but it’s faded.
It still does happen though, and even
all these years later, it brings me back to those moments. If I could draw, I
would be able to draw a perfect likeness of that orange dress. Almost every
picture I ever had of you had that dress. I wonder sometimes if you still have
it.
I’m not writing to say that I want
you back or even that I miss you. I guess what I wanted to say is that I think
about you. Even now. My life has changed a lot. People, places, opportunities
have come and gone. I’ve moved twice since we broke up. But I can still write
this address without even having to think about it. And sometimes, I still want
to use it. Like today. I know I live a thousand miles away, Mel. But I do
wonder about that dress.
Bryan
Bryan,
I really
felt like I had to respond to this. I opened it without looking at the envelope
much and was halfway through reading it before I realized. Full disclosure, it
would have taken a stronger person than I to quit reading there. Melodee Grant
actually moved away a while back. I’ve been
in the condo for the last two years, but there was another person in between us
I believe. I get both of their mail all of the time. I wish I had a forwarding
address to give you. I don’t. I hope
you’re doing well in whatever the new job and
the new place are.
For what
it’s worth (which I do realize is essentially
nothing) I found your letter very sweet and honest. I’ve certainly had breakups where I think I’ve moved on completely until a smell or a
song hits me on the street and takes me back in time. Memory is weird like
that. And breakups too. You have this store of intimate knowledge and shared
experiences with a person who is no longer in your life. I don’t know if it ever stops feeling out of
place, but it hasn’t yet for
me. Good luck with everything. I hope this wasn’t too
much of an invasion.
Vanessa
Vanessa,
It
was definitely surprising to get your letter and learn that Melodee is long
gone. I guess I waited too long to share those “final thoughts.” I appreciate
you writing back though. I agree with what you said. It’s like, you can move
on, but it’s impossible to truly leave those people behind you. I hope the
condo is treating you well, and that the second tap isn’t still dripping at
nighttime.
Bryan
Bryan,
I
was so glad that you wrote back to me. The faucet is still dripping at all
hours, but I feel like you’ve given
me the motivation I need to get on this right now. Good looking out! A from
increasingly warmer places it seems from the postmark. Miami and then Texas?
Hopefully Egypt isn’t next. I
hear it’s pretty deadly this time of year…
Vanessa
Vanessa,
Greetings
from frigid Ontario, Canada. I travel a lot for work, but I’m starting to wish
it was limited to warm place after
warm place. I have yet to be sent to Rio or anywhere Caribbean where I could
just lay out on the beach in between meetings. It doesn’t seem fair that my
co-workers are living it up in Paris right now (thought it is also cold, by the
way) while I’m learning about the Loonie. How is the weather in New York?
Bryan
Bryan,
Poor
Canada, always getting a bad rap. They have really clean subways you know.
Perhaps you could get a doctor’s note
that would limit you tragically to warm areas of travel. Not only would you get
the perks, but your Paris friends might get bumped from good trips because of your “limitations” That’s probably wrong though, right?
Vanessa
Vanessa
It’s
been so great talking to you these months. I feel like I know you. I wish there
were going to be times for me to go out to New York. It would be great to put a
face to this voice and writing. You were right about my boss, by the way. The
woman doesn’t know what she’s doing and all of the changes she’s made came from
sheer fear of this group of four people who completely control her. I’m ready
for her to go down. Enough is enough already, but chances are it’ll all just
stay the same.
Bryan
Bryan,
I’m so happy for you! Quitting can be
difficult, but you’re doing
what is right for you, and no one gets to decide that aside from you. I know
your new job doesn’t start
for a few weeks. Come see me in New York. We can see the sites that you grew up
with or just explore the next restaurants that have popped up since you’re gone. It would be so great to meet you
in person.
Vanessa
No comments:
Post a Comment