Short Stories

Dear James

Dear James,

I'm writing this letter because I dearly miss you. I wish you would write more—I received your last letter months ago. How are you? Did your girlfriend move in with you yet? How did your dad's knee surgery go? And what did you think of the book I recommended?

I've started growing roses in my garden, and I think they add a nice colorful touch. They're climbing up the metal gate so beautifully. I've also taken up yoga and entered a pumpkin carving contest. I hope to win! It's a carving competition, and since I've been doing it for years, I think I stand a good chance. I'll send you pictures once I've finished carving. I've discovered that cutting the bottom of the pumpkin makes it easier to place the tea light inside. I just hope the cat doesn't knock it over this year!

I'll write to you again soon.

Warmly,
Dorothy

Dear Dorothy,

This isn't James. I believe you may have misspelled the address, but I'm happy to have received your letter nonetheless! It's wonderful to hear you're doing well. Your garden, especially with the roses climbing the metal gate, sounds absolutely lovely—so lush and romantic. I'm also curious to know what book you recommended to James, as I'm always looking for good reads.

I'd love to see pictures of your pumpkin carving when it's done. Best of luck with the contest, and fingers crossed that your cat doesn't knock it over this year!

You sound like a very cool person. I'm into woodcarving myself, and I love making dreamcatchers. I've included a picture of one with this letter.

With love,
Isabella

Dear Isabella,

Thank you for writing back to me! I've reached out to James with the correct address this time—I had forgotten he moved in with his girlfriend, not the other way around. I recommended a little book called Dreamprince. It was a fun read for me, and I enjoyed that it felt refreshingly different.

I absolutely love your dreamcatcher! It seems like a calming hobby, perfect for steady hands, and woodcarving sounds equally rewarding. I'm glad my letter went astray—or rather, that it went astray because of me. I've included a picture of my garden for you. I hope you like it!

With love,
Dorothy

Dear Dorothy,

I am in absolute awe of your garden—it is a delight to look at! I can tell that many years, patience, and love went into making it so beautiful. How many years have you been tending to it? I'm glad you liked my dreamcatcher design. All my friends have one made by me, which is why I've sent you a package instead of a letter. I hope you like it! I made it while looking at the picture of your garden.

I'm quite curious, though—how do you and James know each other? And I'd love to hear more about you! I've just moved into a new neighborhood myself, and I work as a jewelry maker. I get a lot of custom orders and requests to fix or breathe new life into old pieces, many of which have sentimental value.

What do you do for a living? I'm eagerly awaiting your answer.

With love,
Isabella

Dear Isabella,

Your life sounds wonderful, and I hope you're adjusting well to your new neighborhood. I don't work anymore—I've been retired for over ten years now. I used to work as a cashier. My garden has been my passion for over fifty years, and every second of it has brought me joy. There's truly nothing that makes me happier.