literature

T936126/JR

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Literature Text

We're laid out on the porch, breathing in cool air and watching the sky slowly drown in its own fire. There's a silence between us, but somehow it feels different: sticky and caught up, like the words in her throat. She's been running over the creases of the paper in her hands as though in prayer, folding and unfolding, but never quite finding the courage to lay the whole thing bare between us. It ain't like one of those trashy bits of paper spiralling on the breath of the wind. No. This one's different. I get the sense that even if we tossed it, it'd be way too heavy to travel further than the spaces between our ribs.

"Dear Mrs. [surname],"

Ain't even kidding. That's how this chapter of her life begun. No Mrs. Scott, No Mrs. This-or-that. Simply, Mrs. [surname]. She bore the law her memories, her heart: heck, a truckload of courage, at that. The system took it in, chewed it up, and decided from hence onwards, she was Mrs. [surname]. Risk versus reward. Money in, money out. After all, a generic letter's always more cost effective than a heartfelt one. Mail merge is always cheaper than a warm, living, breathing person.

She couldn't continue. Her voice wavered and cracked, leaving only a terrible emptiness to well up: flowing like something colder than the dusk air, into the space between us. I couldn't decipher the emotions distorting her face, but something wasn't right. She wasn't right. Ink smeared across her fingertips and palms like blood, words seeping into her veins and wounding her in ways knives or bullets never could.

Gently, I pried the paper from her trembling hands. Stared for a long time, feeling hope dull in my heart while something far more grotesque began to stab, stab, stab with each beat.

PRIVATE Case T936126/JR

Dear Mrs. [Surname]...
Not sure whether to leave this as it is or not.
© 2012 - 2024 iridiana
Comments5
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cality's avatar
The title really piqued my interest, and I enjoyed reading the piece itself. If you do add more, I'd love to read it! :heart: