It's Been Too Long

an experimental flash fiction story of forgiveness or revenge...

This was written for the 30 Days of Fright challenge (hosted by Wendy Cockcroft). Prompt 23: frenemies.

This is a story about two old friends, told in letters and text messages.

It’s Been Too Long

Tina,

I know it’s been a long time, and I’m probably the last person you expected to hear from all these years later. But we were friends once. Closer than anyone.

I’ve grown and changed. I just wanted you to know I’m sorry for what happened between us. I don’t expect you to forgive me. I just wanted you to know. I hope you are having a nice life, doing the things we always dreamed of.

Take care,
       Julia

P.S. If you want, you can write back to me at the PO box on the envelope. I live off the grid and I’m not on social media.

*******

Julia,

I was surprised to get your letter. It sounds like you got what you wanted—living off the grid, homesteading, being self-sufficient. Like we both always wanted. I imagine you in a cabin in the wilderness, with a huge garden, wearing boots and a flannel and hiking with a golden retriever in a cool mist, mountains hazy in the distance. Like that poster I had in my room, remember?

I am living in the city. I work. I have a nice apartment. A lot of house plants. When I look out the window at night, I can’t see the stars from all the light pollution though.

Feel free to write back.

Sincerely,

Tina

P.S. I bet you can see a thousand stars on clear nights.

*******

Dear Tina,

You wrote back! I can hear your voice when I read your words. Your description of my lifestyle is practically spot-on, except I don’t have a dog anymore. I used to. Yes, I have a garden and I even grow those crazy melons. The ones you used to like.

Sometimes living out here is challenging. But you’re right, it’s all worth it to be living the dream and being able to sit out on the deck and sip wine and look at all the stars.

I imagine there are many more exciting things to do in the city though. Museums. Theaters. So many great restaurants. I’m a little envious!

I’m glad we got back in touch. It’s too bad so many years have gone by. I hope to hear from you again.

All the best,
     Julia

*******

Julia,

First of all, of course I wrote back. Now that I’ve found you (or you’ve found me, rather), I’m certainly not going to let you go that easily. Haha.

I doubt you are actually envious of my life in the city, so you don’t need to pretend. Then again, you were good at pretending, weren’t you? I didn’t feel the metaphorical knife in my back until it was too late. But why dredge up the past, right? Sorry. Maybe my wounds are still open and seeping a little, even after all this time.

-Tina

P.S. Don’t get me wrong. I am sincerely glad you started writing to me.

********

Oh Tina,

I don’t blame you for still being angry with me, even though you’ve forgiven me. What I did was… well, I was younger and stupid and selfish.

And I was only trying to say that it sounds like you have a nice life in the city, even if it isn’t what we both dreamed about. Sometimes things turn out differently than we expect, and it’s all for the best, you know? Like a few years ago I was seeing someone, and we were even going to get married, but it fell apart and I was a wreck, but in the end it’s better this way. Now I live alone again and I’m loving it.

I bet you’ve had similar experiences, but you always had more trouble letting things go and looking on the bright side than I did. You always let things fester. You were always so broody and dramatic, but you held everything in. You never acted on your feelings, or let them out, know what I mean? Not that I’m criticizing. I mean, I’m probably too optimistic and open for my own good. Hope to hear from you soon.

Warmly,
Julia

*******

Julia,

I didn’t say I forgive you.

As you pointed out in your letter, I always did have trouble letting things go.

And you did say that you didn’t expect forgiveness.

That doesn’t mean I’m not glad to be in touch once again.

I sometimes think of what happened between us—what you did—as a turning point in my life. As you say, sometimes things turn out differently than we expect, and maybe for some of us, it’s better that way.

-Tina

*******

Tina,

I didn’t write back right away because I wasn’t sure how to reply. As I said in my first letter, I’ve changed and I’m truly sorry. If you’re still so upset with me, maybe it’s better if we don’t stay in touch. I’ll leave that up to you.

Julia

*******

The End.

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Further Reading

In case you missed them, here are some of my recent posts for the 30 Days of Fright writing challenge.

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