Short Stories

The Light-bulb Letters To Johanna

Wolf's POV

Eva,

Where the hell have you been?

I've missed you so much.

Are you still in Germany?

I don't really know what else to say.

I'm bad at writing letters.

That's about it.

I'm sorry.

Your friend,

Wolf

Eva's POV

Dear Wolfe, It was nice to get a letter from you the other day. I'm back in Zwickau Germany standing in the tiny little square where we first met writing you this letter. I remember those first moments like it was yesterday. You were so lost and confused not even able to ask for directions to the nearest bathroom. I could tell you were American by that funny little accent of yours. I really never could tell what part you were from but you were cute none the less. You kept asking me if I was a local, I kept telling you no but you never did believe me. Said I was so fluent with smooth flowing German words that it was hard to believe I haven't lived here my whole life. Hard to believe that to this day I've only lived here for three years. Time sure does fly, doesn't it? It's already 2016 and aren't you graduating college by now? I suppose it doesn't matter as long as you're happy. I heard through the grapevine you moved on from my fairly decent sized town. Said you wanted a fresh start. I gave you the best thing I could at the time, a chance and your space. I'm just glad you never forgot about me. Enough of the sappy shit from me. I hope you're doing alright. I guess I'll end this stupid thing now and mail it to you.

"There's only one way to do it, just freaking do it."

I've always loved that quote.

P.S. I'll be going to New York for a business trip in a few months and I'll look you up and maybe we can actually do something. That is, IF you even get this letter.

E

Wolf's POV

One sunny day in December, I heard my phone ring and the conversation and the voice stunned me to pieces.

"H-hello?"

"Is this the house of Mister Mouse?"

"Eva?"

There was a long pause between us. So I continued.

"I-is it really you?"

"Yes. Who did you think I was, Santa Claus? Jesus, it took me a lifetime to find your number in this old, outdated phone book. I'm glad I did, I really missed you."

"Yeah, I missed you too." I smiled softly. "I wish I could be there with you right now but you're all the way in Germany and I have no money to fly."

"Actually, I'm in New York for the week on a business trip this is my cell number."

"Caller ID said Germany so I naturally assumed. My apologies. You've changed as far as I can tell. But, Hey, uh, do you think you might want to meet up with me some time?"

"Sure. That sounds lovely. Where to?"

"How about we go and have breakfast at Tiffany's this Wednesday?"

"I would love to. See you then?"

"Yeah, see you then."

I reluctantly hung up not wanting to get off the phone with her.

Dear Johanna, It's been a while hasn't it? I feel like I should get you caught up on the events since we last spoke. I am now back in New York permanently. I decided that the Germany scene just isn't my thing. I do hope you and Eva are still good friends. I invited her out on a date with me this Wednesday and I do hope she still likes me. We actually were able to hold a conversation. I know, crazy right? So anyways, a few months from my last send out letter, I got a phone call from none other than Eva herself . That was interesting. I've included the conversation to the best of my knowledge. As Wednesday quickly approached, I began to feel more and more nervous. I mean, the love of my life is now in my city of residency and people expect me to be completely calm. Yeah, right. Like that's going to happen. Knowing my luck she has a boyfriend or is married by now. I mean, I want her to be happy and all but can't it be with me? A lot of things can happen in three years. I haven't even graduated college yet and I still live with my mother. Not that there's anything wrong with that, she's very supportive but, I'm nervous more than anything. When the day came, I got ready quickly, already ten minutes late, and walked into the restaurant with borrowed confidence. I knew she would be beautiful with her long, black, curly, hair, her air of confidence, and the way she carried herself just all coming together to make the most beautiful woman on the planet. She was stunning, wearing an off the shoulder, tight fitting, crushed velvet dress that was navy blue and complemented her curves quite nicely. I felt bad for staring, but she was just so beautiful. Almost hard to believe that she wouldn't be taken. To my surprise, after a good few hours of random chatter and two platters of food later, I found that she was not. I swear I was the happiest man alive when I heard the news. I got the chance to finally be with the girl of my dreams. To be able to hold her in my arms and never let her go. Too bad her flight back to Germany left in two days. I wouldn't be able to hold her for long. It was hard to watch her leave after that. She left just as gracefully as she came and I doubt she even still liked me like that but she said she had a wonderful time and would like to do it again sometime. I guess maybe she really did enjoy her stay as much as I enjoyed having her here, because she came back a month later and came to find me in my apartment. I guess she likes me more than I thought. I hope this letter finds you well.