I remember that day clearly, like a full moon on a cloudless winter night. It began as a beautiful, late September morning: wasps made their last stand, frustrated after being removed from the hive they had worked so hard to build; robins, sparrows, and blue jays playfully chased each other from limb to limb; squirrels hungrily fed from the bird feeders you had placed around the backyard the day before. We rested on the patio, soaking in the morning coolness. Not a word was spoken; we didn't have to say anything- love spoke on our behalf.

   As I drove you to work we held hands; I noticed you staring at me the entire drive- you were smiling. After dropping you off at the restaurant I went to my office. You were on my mind the entire day, especially our romantic evening the previous night. Do you remember that night? The wine was excellent, the food was well prepared, candles set the mood as soft music massaged our passion, but your presence demanded my full attention; you were beautiful; you were my queen.

   Arriving home after work, excited to be reunited with my love, I called your name- but you didn't respond. I worry easily, and you know this. I knew some days you worked beyond your scheduled shift, so I called the restaurant. My heart stopped when the supervisor told me you had left two hours earlier. I knew something was wrong.  Getting into the car, I drove up and down the roads you would have taken to get home. I found your apron in a ditch; the tips were still in the pocket.

   My intention is not to upset you with this letter. I realize what happened is in a distant past, but give me an opportunity to release this burden that plagues my mind.

   You were missing for several months. The police had nothing to go on and seemed to throw their hands in the air after only the first week. I was so angry! Every night I held your pillow firmly to my chest, allowing your scent to take possession of my senses. Yet that pillow was not enough; I needed you.

   After a couple months a detective requested my presence at the station; it seemed he had come across some leads. Sitting in an old, uncomfortable swivel chair, I watched the first of a dozen films. With tears streaming down my face, and my body shaking uncontrollably, I watched men do abominable acts to you over and over and over again. Each time I saw you, I had to identify you to the detective. Your eyes stared blankly at the camera; your face was expressionless. Were you looking for me? Waiting for me to save you?

   I realize these memories will hurt you; my objective in writing this letter is not to hurt you, but to show you that I never once lost my love for you. Never once!

   When the police delivered you from that abominable captivity, a detective called and gave me directions to the hospital. Hearing the wonderful news, I immediately dropped the phone and charged out the front door. I couldn't get to the hospital fast enough! When I arrived at your room, I hovered over the bed; you were unresponsive and had the same expressionless face I remembered from the films. Doctors told me you were mentally traumatized, having fled into a shell within your mind. A nurse struck me with the news that you were eight weeks pregnant.

   Everyday I visited you. I held your hand and would lean over and give you a kiss on the forehead. You never spoke; not a word. Will you speak to me now? Please, only one word? I haven't given up hope. I won't give up hope!

   You had a baby girl. Though I struggle with the fact that a part of this baby is from a rapist, I have accepted her; after-all, what happened is not her fault. She has your eyes, lips, and nose. She's definitely a handful at a year old, but your mom and your sister have helped me so much. I appreciate your family, but I need you. I love you. I will always love you and cherish you. I miss you. Please, come home. Please.

   Carefully placing the letter against the headstone, Thomas stabilized the fragile paper with two red roses. Lying beside the grave, he placed his arm over the location his wife rested and drifted to sleep; that beautiful, late September day was on his mind.

Keyword: Please Come Home. Please.

Report this story | Add to Favorites | Send to Friends | Author's Profile

No Comments posted

Comments (11)

Posted by J Writes Again 2008-09-23 00:29:37 Please come home... This made me cry. It is so touching, so well written you feel it more then read it. I can't even try to critque it for you, I am too emotionally involved with my response to it. Pristine writing. J. + Report this comment
Posted by scooby 2008-09-23 00:54:25 .... i think this is the best story you have written. it is very emotional. i cant even read it without crying. it is very good. probaly he best you have written besides LOVE ENDS great job. + Report this comment
Posted by Tarhead Mugwump 2008-09-23 02:21:17 please, come home well, i made it to the bottom - but i have to admit, as soon as i found out what was happening, i had to go into the scan mode... allergic to sexual violence and all. very well written sir carter! write on! + Report this comment
Posted by lemon 2008-09-23 09:36:12 .... Wow.. This was very intense. I felt horrible for Thomas and for what happened to his love. Love like that is hard to find indeed. You have a talent for writing the most moving stories. Great Job. *pass the tissues please* lol =] + Report this comment
Posted by allmine 2008-09-23 10:02:57 .... Oh my God, I am sitting over here with tears streaming down my face. You have given such dramatic emotions here. So beautifully and heart wrenchingly written... + Report this comment
Posted by Pilgrim 2008-09-23 12:09:42 .... I placed myself in the position of the man who lost his wife. My wife and I have a spectacular relationship, and I thought about a situation that would tear us apart. Love is tested. I wondered if I would be able to stay by my wife's side if something tragic were to happen. My answer is yes, I am the man that would sleep beside my love's grave. I don't know what I would do without you, babe. You are my life. + Report this comment
Posted by r.e.potter 2008-09-23 13:57:29 Those bastards This is why you can only hope there is a hell. For people who ruin lives. Kidnappers, rapist, murderers...corruption has a face and its smiling at me. ok, vents over. Thought this was really good and definitly not a story to go into without hankie near-by. + Report this comment
Posted by resistanceisfreedom 2008-09-23 17:53:04 .... very emotional but a spectacular read. i could feel the sadness dripping down this letter...this was a very well presented tearjerker. but i was jolted with surprise when he set the letter down on her grave.....so very sad. i can't say i've felt any experience like this whatsoever but i could understand his persistence even after her death.....i couldn't imagine loving someone for years and years and then having her taken away in a way like this.....but i know that i would always love her only....i would never go look for someone else. so his persistence was sad, but commendable.....but really, a great job with this. + Report this comment
Posted by mlippart 2008-10-05 22:46:22 wow man- just powerful, very well done. I don't wanna repeat what others have said already, but this'll stay with me for a while. + Report this comment
Posted by Something Indecent 2008-10-06 08:39:39 .... Wow dude. That was really good. You really touched on something real here and it shows throughout the comments. Loved the captivating writing. Excellent work man. Really. + Report this comment
Posted by d.dasgupta 2008-10-09 02:13:48 Deeply moving There is nothing new in this story, yet it is told so wonderfully that one cannot give up reading it till the end. The horror of it all, losing her, finding her and then losing her again. Endlessly tragic. What makes this story particularly moving is that it sounds so real. It could happen. It could happen to any of us. + Report this comment

Post a comment

Post a comment