“The Letter”
This is Bushkill Falls, PA. Taken by Brian
Good morning y’all. Today is a very special day around here because it is Dewy Knickers debut as Doug’s special weekly guest at Waking Ambrose.
To honor her, we thought up this short story on the drive into work yesterday.
“The Letter”
A daily ritual for 40 years; the door swinging open on creaking hinges. At first, that noise had bothered him, but now it was a comfort. Something familiar. Step, shuffle; 12 steps with the right leg and 11 shuffles with the left foot. The distance hadn’t changed, but the numbers had slowly increased through the years. The door closed behind him, a creak followed by a thump and then the snick of the oiled latch springing home.
The rows of faded post boxes covered the rear wall of the foyer; many were empty now, holding only memories. The labels spoke eloquently of times when hope and promises filled the room, but that had slowly changed as the world forgot the sacrifices they all had made. The key ring dangled from his right hand as he reached his destination and with gentle chimes his gnarled shaking fingers slid the worn brass key into the lock. A turn, the door opened and the letter was revealed.
He tilted his head to one side and caught his breath. Was this finally the one? He reached in and withdrew the envelope addressed to Occupant. A clink and the post box closed and he dropped the keys back into his pocket. He turned, step, shuffle; six steps with the right leg and five shuffles with the left foot as he made his way to the table bolted to the west wall. There was a clunk as he hung his cane on the edge, 8.5 inches from the right end; the silver eagle’s head was worn, but the engraving; 41st Regimental Engineers could still be seen on the band.
He set the letter down, three inches from the front edge and directly in front of him. He fumbled for his reading glasses and hooked them over his ears, left side first, then the right. With his left hand, he withdrew a penknife from the inner pocket of his overcoat and turned the letter over until it rested perpendicular to his waist. He flicked open the blade, the shimmering cover said congratulations on your retirement; the sharp steel made a soft hissing noise as he slit open the cream colored paper from bottom to top.
A gentle puff of air, and he shook out the contents onto the scuffed surface of the table. He unfolded the letter, once, twice and then laid it flat pressing down the corners and rubbing the creases. This is what it said.
Dear Occupant,
It has come to our attention that you are recently deceased. Please return the last pension payment at your earliest convenience. If this creates a hardship, then contact our office during normal business hours.
Sincerely,
Jane Carruthers
Pensions and Benefits
There was only a ghostly silence in the foyer as the letter fluttered to the floor to be found later by the janitor who saw the silver headed oak cane still swinging in and out on the edge of the table; a perfect counterpoint to the Earth rotating in its timeless orbit.




Aniin Brian!!
WOW! as I read this, I felt like I was wtching a movie inside my mind. I could picture and actually feel your story
bravo, I enjoyed “The Letter”
How are you today?
((hugs))
Aniin BG,
Glad you liked it. It was very fun to write.
I am doing fine today. It’s Dewy’s day, so I’ll be around a bit. Work sucks as usual and it’s been raining and cloudy since yesterday. Could use some sun.
(((hugs)))
Very visual and poignant.
Nothing to say…eccept I loved it!
Wonderful writing!
Glad you stopped by, and caught some of the sunshine in my poem!
I will stop by Doug’s place later on…no time right now.
Hope the sun will be shining there again very soon!
We could use some sunshine too…it’s a winter wonderland here this morning…
lots of snow…..and, it keeps on coming down….maybe the sun will come out later.
Brrrrrr! it is too cold though…you would not like it Brian!
Well, hope you have a very nice day!
Margie
Thanks Quill, he just wanted his story to be heard.
Margie,
The sun is trying to come out. It was in the 80′s yesterday, it’s always tough this time of year with the switching back and forth hot/cold.
No snow for me, but thanks for offering.
I really like this one, Brian,
Wonderful! Excellent. I loved it.
Glad I found you.
Brian dear, you already know how I feel about this story. It moves me deeply and well, I just think it’s beautiful. Thank you, my friend, for all you are. Wonderful, just wonderful. HUGS and a smush on the side!
Brian..you know we loved it..so detailed and moving..I finally was able to get here..word press would not let me on..so now I am off to miss DK, thanks for the wonderful, funny, much needed talk..much better and a whole lot calmer today…had a funny request from the little ones this morning..they want to send a hello to little B if it was ok and I would help them write it..they had peanut butter fluff and cerael last nite..they were so excited to feel him again..they want to talk about christmas, plus we just got word that Ivy Rose will be here Dec 13 till after Christmas for a visit..they love her and bonus they have someone to play with..let me know and I will help then do it..and of course miss L is simply purring today..take care..love you..xoxo..m et al
Afternoon y’all. Dewy is letting me comment here.
Hi Jenny,
So do I. I am thinking of a group of short stories like this.
Welcome to my blogs momto3cubs.
I’m glad you found us too.
(((Pinky)))
SMUSHS….err, what’s a smush?
Hey Brian..word press just lost my comment so I will try and remember it..or as it told me it may reappear if I try to repost..so here goes nothing..You know how I feel about this lovely post..very moving. I also wanted to thank you for the very fun, wonderful and much need talk last night. Things are so much calmer today. I had a rather surprising request this morning..the littles asked me to ask you if they can send a e thing to little B. They were so happy to feel him so close again and would like to say hello and talk bout christmas they ask me to help them tell it if little B’s daddy says ok..so see what you think and I will help, plus they are so excited we just found out that Ivy Rose will be with us from Dec 13 till after christmas. They love it when she is here, they have someone to play with..they had peanut butterfluff and ceral last nite after we talked and as for miss L she is simply all purrs today..and now I will go visit Miss D at here guest blog..word press has been so awful today..I hope your day is going well..take care..love you… xoxo…m et al
Hi Madd,
I love both your comments. What’s been happening is the spam catcher is eating comments. I keep un-spaming? de-spaming? Hopefully it will learn soon, because all day yesterday is was causing problems.
I like wordpress, but it’s not perfect to be sure.
LB would like very much to receive a message from your littles. We are all doing fine today and Dewy is off destroying blogworld. LOL
Love ya’ all
Oh Brian..the blogosphere may never be the same again..LOL..I will help them later today..nap time with the mommy right now..so I will have a surprise for them when they wake up…xoxo
what a day!!!!!
Brian, I think your writing just gets better and better; what a beautiful story… you never disappoint. (sadly these things do happen)
it brought tears to my eyes… I know… I’m just a soppy sap and it doesn’t take much, but it was truly beautiful and beautifully written.
hope you’re having a good day
will visit everyone else now
lotsa luv ann xxxxxx
Brian..surprise it’s me..Dewy made me feel brave today..she is being very sassy and putting the blogs out there in a tail spin..lol..I just wanted to say a quick hello to you my sweet friend and thank you so much..last nite was sighs, and purrs for me..kisses..L
Sounds great Madd.
Hi Ann,
It’s a great story when read out loud. Call me, and I’ll read you a bedtime story.
I am having a good day…when Dewy let’s me comment that is.
(((Lana)))
I am surprised, but grateful that you are brave. You are most welcome, I have vague memories of last night.
{{{{Brian}}}}
I was only thinking driving home earlier a story in your soft sweet voice would make my day. I’d love to call, when it’s convenient for you… darn this time difference
lotsa luv ann xxxxxx
(((Ann)))
It all depends on how late you want to stay up. Or, go to bed now and get up at 1am or so.
I am not going to bed now daddy… but 1.00 a.m. is a tad late for me when I have to be in the office tomorrow… I was late on Tuesday so must get in earlier to show willing… lol.
Move to England… you seem to have much more rain than we do and we don’t have hurricanes.
lotsa luv ann xxxxx
Who’s your daddy! LOL
How about a quick call at 11:30 this evening? I will read you the story.
{{{{Brian}}}}
that’s a date…. just a quickie is it?
lotsa luv ann xxxxxx
((((Ann)))
You’ll be pleased with how much pleasure there is in me giving an oral quickie…story.
{{{Brian}}}
so happy it will be as good for you as it will be for me….
guess what…. daughter is home and she’s supposed to be out… she has talked non-stop for at least 30 minutes… children should come with batteries that can be removed!!!!!!
lotsa luv ann xxxx
I just love this story! OXOX D
It is a great story Brian, I am glad you mentioned it in your almost goodbye post!
A wonderful piece. Read it over and over and then again…
Well written story, Brian. I enjoyed this very much. Keep up the good work and have a nice weekend. Here’s mine if you would like to come take a look “the 51 Train”
Thanks everyone. Like I said, this is one of my favorite short stories.
Wow! What fun…love the letter!
This is good, Brian, great closing.
I love the detail in this letter. You have written such a great piece thanks for sharing this.
Glad everyone enjoyed this. As I said, I want to turn this into a novel.
wow this is so beautifully descriptive that I saw every shuffle in front of me. Amazing writing and fantastic end.
They’ve said it all…visual, great writing, loved the letter itself – though it cracked me up – superb, thank you, Brian.
Glad I got to read it. Do turn it into a novel.
BTW, I finished Real Magic.
I’ll be working next year on my next novel/project. Rose is still working on her book.
A wonderful story Brian, and it will make a wonderful novel.
Excellent imagery in your story and an unexpected twist! Wonderful photo too.
Thanks everyone again for all your comments. This is a idea, one of many for more novels. Who knows what will happen in 2008.
Clearly the prologue for a bigger story of either what lead up to his death or the consequences of his death. I have gone for L for lunch, loneliness and absent love. The lonely wear masks
well done! I loved it!