At 3:00 in the morning, when my mom was asleep, I walked to the bridge.
On the bridge was a box.
Attached to the box was a letter.
Caitlyn,
I know you want to kill yourself. I'm hoping these will change your mind.
I opened the box to reveal a pile of letters.
***
Dear Caitlyn,
I have enjoyed being your neighbor. You are an amazing girl with a great future. Thank you for all the times you watched Samson for me.
I love you!
-Carol Hodson
***
Dear Caitlyn,
You are a wonderful student. I have loved having you in class. I look forward to seeing what you will do in the future.
-Señora Perez
***
Dear Caitlyn,
You are my very best friend! I can't believe I didn't know what you were going through. I love you so much. I can't believe I almost lost you. Let me know whenever you need me.
I love you so much!
-Violet
***
Cait,
We love you!
Love, The Wentworths
P.S. We've always considered you family. You're welcome at our place anytime.
***
Caitlyn,
You are a great friend and I've loved tutoring you. I wish we could hang out even more (as friends.)
-Reece
***
Caitlyn,
You're cool and funny and I wish I knew you better.
-Kelsie
***
Caitlyn,
I have loved you and have loved watching you grow up since you were in my class. You have been a great friend to V and I am so grateful for you.
Love, Mrs. Despain
***
Caitlyn,
Thank you for being my friend and coming to church with me even though you aren't sure about God. Everything happens for a reason and I'm sure it will all work out how it's supposed to. Stay strong!
-Natalie
***
Caitlyn,
I know I can be really annoying, so thanks for putting up with me.
-Asher
***
Cait,
I love you so much. I wish I was around to see you more. Skype me soon.
You're favorite uncle,
Matt
P.S. You're my favorite niece.
***
Caitlyn,
Thanks for being a great example for me. I had so much fun skating with you and going to Chili Chester's.
-Rory
P.S. If you marry Reece, we can be sisters.
***
Caitlyn,
I miss when we were little and would play together. You were a great friend and I'm so glad you set me up with Leo.
Your friend,
Caroline
***
Caitlyn,
You're my favorite student. You better be at my wedding!
-Ms. Parker
***
Hey Cait.
I'm not dead yet. And you'd better not be either. I'll see you when I'm fully recovered.
-Lawrence
P.S. I think Bradley may have a HUGE crush on you.
***
Caitlyn,
You matter a lot to V, which makes you important to me too. Please be careful. Don't do anything that's going to hurt all of us.
-Cody
***
Caitlyn,
You're a great artist.
-Finn
***
Caity Cat,
I miss you so much! I'll come visit you this summer. Just make sure you're still here. I love you!
<3 Janie
***
Cait,
I am taking you shopping every weekend and I'm never leaving you alone ever. You mean too much to me. I love you.
-Aunt Symphony
***
Caitlyn,
Thanks for being so good to Natalie.
-Tyler
***
Caitlyn,
As you know, we almost lost our son. We would hate to seen any parent go through that. Please consider your mother and the other people around you before you make any rash decisions. We're all here for you.
-The Gillins
***
Caitlyn,
We love you so much! We don't know what we'd do without you!
All our love,
Grandma and Grandpa Martin
***
Caitlyn,
I don't know you, but Bradley demanded I wrote you a letter so here.
-Allen
***
Caitlyn,
You are so cute!
-Hollie
***
Caitlyn,
We enjoyed having you over. Come back any time.
-The Clarks
***
Caitlyn,
I want to hear all about your trips to all 50 states.
-Mr. Christensen
***
Caitlyn,
Thanks for giving a tree a good home. I'll see you next Christmas.
-Emily
***
Caitlyn,
I had no idea you were in a love triangle! This Bradley guy is really cute too.
-Mrs. Hansen
***
Cait,
I love you cous! I love talking to you about boys or anything else. Call me.
<3 Cylee
***
Caitlyn,
Thank you so much for helping me with Caroline!
-Leo
***
Caitlyn,
Music can save a life. Check out Battlescars by Paradise Fears.
-Reign
***
Caitlyn,
It would absolutely kill Bradley if you killed yourself. Please don't do it. I love you. And my little brother is in love with you.
-Emerson
***
Caitlyn,
You are a sweet girl with powerful lungs. Just yell my name if you ever need me.
-Julia
***
Cait,
You have been like a second daughter to me. I'm sorry I didn't notice something was wrong earlier.
-Mr. Despain
***
Cait,
I love you.
Forever Yours,
Bradley
***
Caitlyn Marie Ellis,
I know that things are tough. I know it's hard to deal with your emotions and the people around you. I know life is tough. But so are you. I love you and believe in you. You have grown into a beautiful woman who I am very proud of. I love you.
-Mom
***
I sat on the bridge. Tears streaming down my face, letters in my hand, as the sun rose.
Bradley sat next to me.
"Cait. I tried to get everyone but God and J. K. Rowling still haven't replied yet. But everyone here loves you so much. We love you Cait. I love you. If you had jumped tonight..."
I kissed him.
"Wow," he whispered after we broke apart.
"Thank you."
Caitlyn,
It looks like there won't be a funeral anymore. People seem to love you. It's time to leave your depression behind and change. It'll take time. It'll take effort. But you're going to make it. You're going to be fine.
Hello,
Caitlyn.
YOU ARE READING
R.S.V.P.
Short Story"Cait, why do you spend so much time in your room," my mother asked, "why don't you hang out with your friends anymore?" "Just tying to minimize the damage," I thought ** At sixteen, Caitlyn Ellis has decided to kill herself. She's made up her mind...
