Letters from a Lover

Penelope Clark writes to her former childhood best friend and reminisces.

Dear Anna
It's been a year and I miss you as much as I did 364 days ago. Life hasn’t been the same. I miss the jokes you made and the witty remarks that I used to get so upset over. I’ve started a new life I wanted to tell you about. I moved to America to get away. I’m burning through my savings but—I think this is for the better. I’m sorry I moved away from you but I think I needed a fresh start
Love you!
-Penny

4/2/15
Dear Anna
I wanted to catch up sooner but I’ve been so busy. It's been hard for me. I finally got a job at an accounting firm as a receptionist. It’s not perfect but it pays the bills. I live in a small apartment and had to move in while searching for a job. This isn’t even including grocery shopping, Ughhh don’t get me started on that. I hope I will be able to come back to Norway to visit you. I was just thinking the other day about the trip to the zoo we had. I can’t help but smile and think about how happy you were when you saw the seals. I’ll never forget your smile. I remember your face lighting up the second you noticed we reached the seals. I miss the shimmer in your eye, because I think I’m losing mine.
Love you!
-Penny

7/13/15
Dear Anna
It’s been a while since I vented to you. I’m sorry I kept you waiting. Life has slowly gotten a little better. I still don’t think I’ve fully recovered after you left, but I’m so busy I don’t even feel like I have the time to be sad. I met someone at work, her name’s Lia, and she’s been wonderful to be around. She almost reminds me of you. I wish you could meet her, I think you two could get along really well. She took me out to eat last friday, and let me tell you, the lobster was AMAZING. I can’t believe I never took you when we were younger. I think you would’ve loved it.
Love you
-Penny

10/16/15
Dear Anna
I miss you Anna. I was working and Lia told me about her mom and how she was a victim of suicide and I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I started crying on the spot and had the curious gaze of all my audience members. I felt like I should’ve been embarrassed from crying in front of everyone but I could only think of you. My only comfort in this world is gone and I still don’t know how to cope. Time’s supposed to heal wounds but I look down and see new scars forming on my heart. I feel the pull of my past holding me down and reminding me of my mistakes. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I wish I was enough for you. My heart breaks at the idea of us growing old together. Growing old used to make my day, and now it ruins it. I’m ashamed and embarrassed I wasn’t there for you. Anna, I'm so sorry.
I love you with all my heart and more!
-Penny

3/2/16
Dear Anna
I know you’ve been waiting for quite some time and I have missed you but I’m going to be visiting you in just a couple of hours. Lia wanted me to show her home and we both managed to get time off of work. Lia knows all about you now. I love telling her about the things we did together growing up. Lia’s a great listener. Lia’s out shopping right now but as soon as she comes back we’re going to check on you. I bought your favorite, a bouquet of violets. I remember how much you liked them when we were younger. Life feels like it has gotten somewhat more manageable, but it still isn’t the same as with you. I’m excited to share more stories of us with Lia. I only wish you two could have met in person. Rest easy my sweet dear.
From my heart to yours
-Penelope Clark