Shannon’s Bio:

Shannon Norland is a molecular biologist who left the field to pursue her other passion, writing. She is currently working on a novel while finding homes for her short stories. When not writing or chasing an infant, she fills her time with gardening and kendo. She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, daughter, three cats, and pet snake.

Last Letter

By Shannon Norland

 

Dear Herman,

I know it’s been months since I left with all of our savings, and most of the furniture, but I’ve been thinking, and decided that you might want an explanation. First, I want to say I regret taking all the savings. Had I known that the checking account was overdrawn, I would have left you something. Of course, if you hadn’t lost all our money on a failed ostrich farm venture, the situation would not be so dire. And god-if-I-know why I took the furniture. I’m sad to say it, but I dumped most of it by the side of I-95 on the way to the airport. The places I stay now are fully furnished, and with selections much nicer than that leather sports fan sofa set.

Why did I leave? After thirty years, you’d think I’d be used to the gambling, the drinking, the laziness, even the shelf-shaking snoring. And, in truth, I was. You know me, I stayed with you for thirty years. I don’t need something to be perfect, as long as it is broken in a way I understand. And I thought I understood you, Herman. I knew about the airline stewardess in Tulsa. I knew about the “party girls” from those stag weekends in Vegas. I didn’t learn about Angie next door until years after the Roberts had moved, when she wrote me a lovely letter after starting one of those twelve step programs. I didn’t like it, but at least I understood it.

But I didn’t understand the slim, blond college sophomore that showed up on our doorstep four months ago, with her sculpted calves and folding massage table. At first I felt sorry for her as she stood there in shock, only able to mouth “oh.” She looked at the schedule on her clipboard and we both knew she had come on the wrong Tuesday. Of course, you know that most Tuesdays I was at the church, working with the choir, but that Tuesday I was home because of the yearly pew re-painting. I really did pity her. I invited her in for a drink, it was such a hot day and I could see she had driven with the windows down, no working A/C in her old car.

I asked her what classes she took at school. She was uncomfortable at first, but we began to have a very nice chat. She was a lovely girl, a bit foolish, but who wasn’t at that age. I wondered what you did to snag such a pretty young thing. And then, she tugged at her earlobe, it must have been a nervous habit because she did it without realizing it. That’s when I saw them: golden heart-shaped studs with a single diamond at the center. My grandmother’s earrings on the ears of your latest little whore!

Well, you can understand how upset I was, Herman. They were my only heirloom. The only thing I had left after my family home burned down when my little sister fell asleep with a sparkler, and only because I was wearing them when I snuck out to your place.

So, there it is, my reason. After thirty years of a not-so-good marriage, I left because I couldn’t stay with a man who would give away my most precious possession.

But... I’m afraid there is an addendum here, Herman dear. Yesterday I was unpacking more of my suitcases and I found that old music box you gave me on the last anniversary we actually celebrated. And within? Yes, my grandmother’s golden heart earrings.

I’m not sorry, this is not an apology, but I do feel I owe you a favor. So here it is: I strongly recommend that you go to the freezer in the basement, lift up that old deer that’s been in there since last Christmas, and dispose of what you find underneath. I would also vacuum down your hunting coat to remove any blond hairs someone might have planted there. The anonymous tip I sent in to the state police last month will take a while to work out, but rest assured that it will lead back to that freezer sooner rather than later. So, for once in your life, don’t be your usual lazy self. You don’t have much time.

Good luck with your new project!

Love,
Agnes

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