The Letter

She grabbed her pen off of the side table and slammed the paper down onto her desk. She was determined to write something - something that said everything she'd been wanting to say for years. She'd felt herself dying a little each day, and she had to reveal her murderer. Her pen touched the paper several times, never leaving a mark behind. All she saw was white. The blank page was hypnotic - intimidating even. Infuriated by her own hesitation, she wrote the first thing that came to her mind. 1

I hate you.2

She knew it was a lie, but she didn't care. She had something. She had a place to start.3

*4

"I'm sorry, Melody. You know I didn't want this."5

"You didn't WANT this?! You begged the bastard to take you! God, Tim, you act as though I wasn't there the day you...I can't do this, Tim. You can't do this."6

*7

She read her words. 8

I hate you. 9

"I wish."10

The pen dropped from her hand as she reached to open the window to her right. It was a cool night for July - breezy. It was the kind of night that reminded her of home. She missed San Bruno. She missed the cool summers and warm winters. She missed knowing her way around.11

She did hate him for it. She never would have left.12

Her hand fell once more on the pen, and the pen once more to the paper. 13

I hate you for making me leave. I hate you for making me feel guilty that I had a home, a real home.14

*15

"You don't have to come, Melody."16

"Like hell I dont! If I don't go, they'll all blame me. Shit, you'll be the new martyr. 'He risked his heart for her, you know. He broke his soul and she, well, she tossed him out - just like Michael.' I can't face their scorn again. You know that. You knew that."17

"I thought I was doing what was best for us. I never thought you'd be so attatched to this...this town."18

*19

The pen in her hand was moving on - fighting onward, without her consent. Her thoughts didn't even bother track the progress of it.20

You always made it out as if I was acting like a child. How dare you say I was scared to leave. I Loved that town. That town raised me. That town, which you hated so fiercely, loved me. It broke my heart to leave. I broke my heart to save yours, and you have the gall to...21

She stopped. The paper was adorned with grey beads. Her hand released it's weapon and rose gently to her cheek. "Haven't I already cried enough?"22