The Letters

"Let me tell you about my day," Malcolm Grant kept talking as he entered his front door. "It has been a beauty. Guess what? Got the promotion and then some."

He looked around the room. No one there. Usually, his wife Louise and/or son Brett were hanging around the kitchen, making plenty of noise. Maybe they were late getting back from Brett's school or perhaps there was an after-school function which he had forgotten to attend. Guilty of that one too many times.

Waiting was the best option. No doubt they would be back soon, or his phone would be buzzing to explain their absence.

Returning to the euphoria of his promotion, he was imagining how much difference this would make to their life. Nearly three times his current salary would let them afford many things they had foregone. It had been pretty tough, especially on Louise. Lonely days and nights while he flew all over the place. Chasing that next contract. Hurried phone calls to home, as he made changes between flights or was snowed in by bad weather.

Yes, this was going to be a lot better for them all.

He made a decision to call Louise. Not as good as the home greeting, but he just had to tell her. He hit one and the phone started the connection. The call went to messages and on the prompt he yelled into the phone. "Hey honey, it is me, guess what? I got the promotion. Great hey. Cannot wait until you're back. I will chill the Sparkling. Next time it will be Champagne all the way. Love you." He disconnected as he strolled to the kitchen.

Over three years pulling out all stops, to get to placing this sparkling wine in the fridge. How sweet this would be.

"Hurry up Louise and Brett," he prompted and turned to the empty kitchen.

He froze. There was something different. Not dangerous, just different.

Scanning the kitchen, he noticed nothing out of place. Again, he scanned from right to left. His search came to the kitchen table. This was a place of family eating and fun and it had served them well. A bigger one was now on his list of new things to bring into the home. Louise would have so much fun with her new freedom that would come from a much larger budget.

A small flower arrangement in the center of the table supported something he had not noticed before. It was a pinkish color. He hesitated before moving towards the table. A letter he thought. Not one that had come through the normal post. His Christian name was neatly inscribed on the front. Louise for sure. She had beautiful writing.

His fingers fondled the thick paper and soon found the opening. Perhaps this was a surprise that had been arranged for his homecoming. His fingers quickened their work, and he soon had the letter unfolded, ready for the secret to be released.

No smile came to his face. He stood silent as if in a trance.




Dear Malcolm,
I wish I had the strength to face you and talk directly with you. But I do not. Perhaps that will come later. I know it must.

By the time you read this letter, I will be at my mum's place. I have Brett with me. We will stay for some weeks. Brett has been able to gain a temporary place in the High School. Where he goes from there is yet to be decided.

Your pursuit for a better paid position and an improvement in our living standard is admirable. I have tried to support your ambition and know that one day you will succeed. However, I would much prefer a husband who was around me much more frequently. Also, Brett missed so much of you throughout the years. It seems that you are but a visitor. Even when you were there you were always thinking of the next deal. I did not want a deal. I wanted you.

Malcolm shuffled his stance and was becoming both enraged and distressed. The reality he was reading raised tears in his eyes and an overwhelming desire to scream out. He did.

"Shit, Shit. Why have I been working for this promotion for years? Why bail out on me?"
The next sentence provided the answer and much more hurt.

Also, and much harder for me to articulate is the fact I found comfort with another man. I am not proud of that, but I also do not see any reason to discontinue such a connection. He is a teacher at Brett's school.

To go on at this point, serves no purpose. We must talk, but not yet.

Regards
Louise

Malcolm was shrouded in a fog. The dream he had for both of them was destroyed. Nothing left to pick up. Louise had had enough and that was it. He strode to the fridge, opened the door and grabbed the sparkling wine. Off with the top and he raised it to his lips and poured. It spilt over him, into him and all around him. He was in a hurry. More alcohol needed. Stronger. He set his sights on the whisky cabinet.

LOUISE

The garden was small but well planted. The waft of perfume from the Lavender swirled around Louise as she sat on her mother's garden bench. Such a peaceful place she thought and envied her mother's lifestyle.

Upon arrival at her mother's, a letter awaited her. She had not opened it as yet. No sender was recorded but she was familiar with the handwriting. Why had he sent it here? Peace and quiet was needed. Time to think more about the situation. Malcolm's message had been surprising, but she did feel some elation for his news. All these years and now the big promotion comes along. Good for him but it would not change her mind. He would not change. The thrill of the deal would remain, and her lonely life would continue.

Some urgency filled her actions. Her mother would be home soon, and the letter needed to be read and digested before that happened. Still hesitation, but then a surge of necessity as she ripped the top of the envelope. A plain paper letter came out. It was definitely from Bobby. She began to read.

Dear Louise,

My apologies for writing to you at your mother's place. I felt it was more personal than an email and it may well be that you will appreciate the support.

What the fuck was this? Louise was angry.

We have had a great three months, and I do love you very much. I think you would agree; we were both in need of each other and not just in a physical sense. As importantly, my affection for Brett has grown and together we make a good combination. I am sure you will agree.

This was a goodbye. Shit

As you are aware, my wife has not been well and yesterday she was diagnosed with breast cancer. There will be some months of chemotherapy required. Naturally, I am not going to leave her during the treatment period.

"Oh Naturally. What about me. Hey. Just hang around with you in the recovery ward. Shit" Louise released her frustration. "What am I going to do. What about Brett?" She did not want to, but she forced herself to read on:

I would still like to keep in touch until the situation allows for us to be together more permanently. So it is not goodbye. Just taking it a bit slower. Ring me when you get a chance. I hope this does not disrupt your plans too much.

Louise spoke aloud:

"Oh no Bobby, I just moved my child to another school, confessed all to Malcolm. Looks like I live with mum. Joy oh Joy."

Lots of love,
Bobby xxxx

Perhaps she had made a mistake. Taking up with a married man. He had been honest about his marriage from the start. That was one of the things she liked about him. Why had this happened now? What to do?

At that moment her mother walked in through the kitchen door. She was talking and walking towards Louise. She stopped in front of her.

"Let me tell you about my day."