The Late Delivery

Late Delivery

Ten years had passed by the time she received the letter. Rebecca wondered how it finally came to her. She turned and walked toward the living room, her thoughts began to flourish. The return address from James, the man she was supposed to have married, the man she loved even to this very day. Afraid of the contents, she placed the letter on the coffee table, turned and walked towards the kitchen but halfway down the hall she turned and headed back to the table.

What would have happened if she had married James? How different would her life have been? Walking over to the table, Rebecca picked up the letter and sat down on the sofa. She tore open the weather-worn envelope. The pages were stuck together and were crisp with age but she finally separated them and began to read.

• My dearest Rebecca I wanted to set a few things straight. James' words of endearment cursed her as if he were there talking to her, he explained the reason for his departure, which she never understood. She knew he was older than her (twenty years to be exact) which did not make a difference to her. She knew he was married. The loneliness he felt and the reason he never came back to get her as they had planned. She wanted to put the letter down but she could not, so she continued to read. He went on to explain that although the years would take them in different directions it would be for the best. He had not meant to hurt her, and hoped that getting over him was easier than what he had gone through. .

True, they had drifted apart and the years had taken care of that. She, however, still felt the same for him she always loved him. She was very happy she met someone who loved and cared about her. She was satisfied with her life and had two beautiful children. She held the letter close to her heart and whispered as if he could hear her, "I hope it worked out for you and that you're happy".

Then she took the letter, tore it up, and got ready to receive her children and her husband who were on their way home...

Short Story-Fiction by Mary Chapman

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