6/21/10

Letters
by Randal Schmidt


I got your letter today. It was sticking out of the mailbox when I got back to the apartment building. The mailman never puts it in right. Lazy bastard. The envelope was wrinkled and stained. It was a sad and beaten little thing. I almost didn’t want to open it. I didn’t want to see the words. I didn’t know what they would be, but I still didn’t want to see them. Black and white. Just staring at me. Your voice in every one.

I don’t know why you still write me. I never answer. Some misplaced hope makes you send me a letter, I guess. Like a bottle in the ocean, hoping that it reaches someone somewhere. Each one stings a little. I wish I could really disappear. How did you get my address anyway?

The trees in the park have begun to change colors. My apartment gets really cold this time of year. I think I may be moving. I don’t care where.


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Randal Schmidt is a proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2011 and a writer for a local publication, Maroon Weekly. He loves reading and writing almost as much as he loves his fiancee.