9.1.2007 Dear Jenny, I'm sorry, we can't do this anymore. I hate to have to tell you like this, but I can't stand making another trip out there. Going through the ordeal of the plane ride, the cab from the airport, unpacking... only to tell you this and have to turn around and do it all over again; the increased airfare and terminal wait time isn't helping either. So I have to do it like this. I haven't been coming to Louisiana on business these last few years. There's someone else. We've been seeing each other for several months. I know you must have suspected this. How many conventions can a computer programmer go to in 2 years right? And all in one place? This is not the first time I've written this letter. There are a lot of things that have led up to this, brought us here. I realize now that nothing is perfect and even fewer things are permanent. There was a time I thought you and I were forever, I'm sorry that's not the case... for me and you. I've included all my previous letters in hopes that you'll see this has not been easy for me. Please don't try to contact me anymore, I'm sorry. -Robert 6.14.2007 Dearest Jenny, I know you've expected this letter for years. In fact I've been expecting one from you as well. When did we start lying to each other? What happened to the kids that used to go pool hoping and get high on your parents roof? [I meant this letter. I wish I could tell you how often I've sat up thinking about this] 1.22.2007 Jenny, It's over. There is someone else. I know you've been cheating on me and I've been cheating on you too. I called you tonight, you didn't answer. Figures. I don't know who you've been fucking for the last few months, but you're not the only one pursuing extra-curricular activities. I wonder if this could have been saved by talking about it. Not that you would know anything about talking to people. All I wanted was some fucking attention from you. You think I wanted to end up like this? Drunk, writing you from some fucking hotel room? I make up shit, to travel away from my shitty life, into my secret life, which is almost equally as shitty in totally different ways. You're a real pill you know that? [there were times when I really hated myself because I felt like I was always running and hiding. I'm over that now.] 7.9.2006 Jen, There is something I've been keeping from you. [I didn't think this was sensitive enough] 6.30.2006 Jenny, What is it they say about happiness? [this might depend on who you ask...] 3.21.2006 Dear Jennifer, I won't be coming home. I'm not sure how to tell you that I've been seeing someone else. She's everything you used to be... before you turned into such a bitch. Remember that girl? The one I fell in love with? Maybe I didn't go about this in the best way, maybe I'm a fucking chicken-shit for writing you a letter instead of calling you... but I can't ever seem to hold your attention for long enough, there's always something you're doing, someone to see, a friend, a relative. To be honest, you gave me the idea. Always running off. I realized, hey, whatever, I should be getting my kicks too. Why should this be a one way street. So I headed south. I just wanted some personal time. I told you I was going to a conference, a meeting, fuck I don't remember now there's been so many lies... no sense recounting them all. I met her and there was chemistry. Needless to say I didn't bring the baggage of our relationship with me. I tried but it got delayed in another terminal. Not to joke, but honestly we've known this was going to happen it was just a matter of who was going to be the slime ball. Well I'll be the slime ball, I don't give a shit Jen. It's like we used to say, "fuck it". Before the house, the job, the new job, the promotion, the meetings. Before we started fighting more than we were fucking. Traveling doesn't have to be running away but running away is always traveling. [We are too alike I think...] 2.14.2006 Jenny, Fuck you. It's over. I know you won't miss me. How's the pool boy? You're so fucking coy you know that? Well I can live to. In fact this whole time I've been traveling for business I'VE BEEN FUCKING SOMEONE ELSE, so there! Maybe you knew, maybe you didn't. Well now I get to bask in the glory of my new fucking life. Good riddance to all your shit. [Somewhere inside I really do hate you. I'm sorry if you knew.] 9.2.2007 Goodbye Jennifer, I rented a gun tonight. I'm not in Louisiana like I said, I lied to you.Again. I'm sick of the secrets from everyone and I know this is the only way I can stop everything from spinning. I need to gain control over things and I think this is the best way. I'll be gone by the time you get this. Don't be sad just keep on going with your life. This is better for both of us. Forever Yours, Robert [... goodbye. I do love you.]
This is a deeply intimate series of letters regarding a failed marriage and suicide. I only have one problem with it. The letters are in descending date sequence until the last letter (9.2.2007). If you are going to present your problem meaningfully to the reader, you should have a consistent date sequence, either ascending (oldest first, my preference) or descending (newest first). As to the deep and heartfelt feelings expressed, I feel sorry for the author. Sea of heartbreak, Lost love and loneliness, Memories of your caress, so divine, How I wish you were mine, Again my dear, you'll find me in a sea of tears, Sea of heartbreak.
The misplaced order of the final letter was intentional, part of the message of robert to Jenny, knowing she'll never read that far. I'm sure you considered this, but do you think that's enough reason to keep the out of order sequence?
floyd-i know your in a awkward position right now. Your feelings hurt or what not. Coming from a womens point of view i wouldn't put that your going to get a gun because thats only gunna make her call you want you back help you . Do you want to work things out? Do you still love her enough to get help with her ?
Oh this is all completely and totally fictional. I'm a relatively normal guy with a stable relationship. I just find it interesting to write short pieces from the first person point of view of invented characters, in this case, Robert. Your concern shows what a kind and caring person you are.
I think if you expanded upon this it could really become something great maybe make the letters go into more depth, more background, maybe even have the descending letters go back into happier time I say come back to it in a few weeks and expand upon the story right now it has emotion, but it's too rushed and shallow for you to feel for the character much oh, and did you have any specific reason for picking the name Jenny? the name doesn't seem to fit the story to me, 'Jenny' reminds me of some all american 50s girl, or maybe Forest Gump....
^ The plan is to come back to it eventually and expound upon some things. I'm not sure where Jenny came from, possibly forest gump... I just sort of create these characters and then spend some time trying to identify with that place before I write. So ideally revisiting it should go smoothly. Thanks for the comments!
It would help readers if authors stated immediately (perhaps as a subtitle) whether they are putting out fiction or nonfiction. My short story, "Marathon" (on this thread), was labelled "95% nonfiction, 5% fiction" because certain small portions were invented to improve the flow of the narrative.
eh, the wonder is all part of the story I think. For me, it doesn't matter whether or not something is fiction or non-fiction. Thought I see how a thread like this might cause some concern.
I like the idea of a set of letters revealing the descent of a relationship into oblivion but I agree with Duck. Perhaps some happier letters from earlier in the relationship would give me more of a connection to what was being lost. I would like to 'feel more sorrow' for the break-up instead of 'feeling like an observer' as I do now. But it's a really good start. By the way, have you read 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' by Goethe? That uses the letters idea to perfection, I think. Anyway, keep us posted if you do add more to it. As regards notifying readers whether it's fiction or not, I think there's no need. Peace, A.
^^hey, what's with this awesome waterfall in your sig? is that you in the water? where is this gorgeous place?
Yes, thats me on the left. The falls is in Phu Jong Na Yoi national park in NE Thailand about 60 miles from where I live. This photo is two weeks old. Sorry Floyd, not trying to hijack your thread.
I don't care at all I think it's an amazing picture and an amazing place! I just figured it was you and a friend somewhere in Thailand.
Thats good you scared me there for a second - my heart was in my throat when i was half way down the page. I was thinking OMG what is she goin to think reading this. Writing such a thing like this next time you should put fictional or non-fictional. Teri
^ I dodn't get why people keep saying this why? why? why? first off, the way he talked about it, made it clear it was fiction second off, even if he didn't, wouldn't the thought that it could be real make it all the more intriguing?
That's quite a compliment for me actually. This is exactly why I didn't put a label on the validity of the story.
