by Peter L. Bosch

Created on: August 21, 2009

She had not been expecting a letter. She opened the grungy envelope with the sloppy handwriting in the kitchen, after first looking over her shoulder. There was nobody behind her which she already knew since Frank had been at work for hours. Only her cat stirred as she rubbed her back on the velvet couch which already had scratch marks on it despite being only a week old. Mary shook her head while turning her attention back to the letter in her hands. Her eyes glanced at the envelope one more time as if she could not believe someone had sent her a letter in this day and age. As she began to read the single page, she was filled with lots of smug uncertainty. It read:

March 17, 2009

Dear Mary,

You made it happen. You got me the location, the loan, the builders, the vendors and even the freaking big red sign declaring it open. I invested all my money and I took out a second mortgage because you told me that we couldn't fail. The business then fails and you tell me nobody could've known the economy was going to tank. You then start sleeping with another man but you're sorry since love can't be predicted. I lose my house and you say nothing because YOU DON'T SEEM TO ANSWER ME EVER SINCE YOU DUMPED ME!

I'm not an angry man. I'm not. Really. I really ain't angry. I am just writing to say that I won the lottery for five dollars and that it's a sign of better things to come. You're right, you know? You are. The stupid economy has ruined many, many lives. You only pushed for what you thought was best. Millions of people have lost their homes, why not me? I know I've been bitter in past, but I am alright now.

I believe in signs, yep. And I won the lottery which is a good sign. When I started going out with you, I started to see lots of black cats. Yesterday I bought a newspaper, a coffee and a scratch-off ticket at the Shell. I scratched the ticket and I saw that I was a winner. I knew it meant that things were looking up for me...that and the fact your new lover was kissing your best friend by pump number seven!

Sincerely,

The One Who Got Away

P.S. I bet she later knocked his socks off!

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