A Short Story
Story based on the image shown — image is from Pixabay

A short story by Lynn Miclea

I carefully picked up the bottle, wondering what message was inside. Was the message important? A call for help? Or something personal? Was I invading someone’s privacy?

After hesitating for a few moments, I opened the bottle and slowly pulled out the yellowed, crinkled paper inside. My hands trembling, I read the words scrawled on the paper.

It was a beautiful love letter that a man had written, pouring out his heart and expressing his love for a woman who had left him. His words deeply touched me, and my heart ached for him.

I reached the end of the eloquent letter and saw he had signed it “Gary.” That struck me odd — that was the name of my ex-boyfriend whom I had broken up with about a year ago. At the time, I left him because I thought he had cheated on me. I later realized I was wrong, but by then it was too late. We had already split up. And I always regretted leaving him. Since then, I often wondered what had happened to him.

I wasn’t sure if this was the same person or if the name was a coincidence, but I thought maybe I’d try reaching out to my ex-boyfriend. Maybe see if he was still around. Maybe he was still single. No matter what, it would be nice just to say hi.

After a bit of research, I found him and called. I reached his voicemail, and his familiar voice filled me with nostalgia and longing. I left a short message saying I had found something of his and thought of him, wondered how he was, and to please call me.

A few minutes after hanging up, I read the letter again. As I read it, I could hear it in Gary’s voice, and I was positive he was the one who had written it. My fingers traced over the written words, and I wished I could go back in time and be with him again.

I wasn’t sure if he would call back, but I was satisfied that at least I had reached out. One day later, Gary called back. My heart quickened at the sound of his voice. He asked if we could meet, and I immediately said yes.

Sitting in the coffee shop two hours later, I gazed into his deep blue eyes and took in his familiar, handsome face. All my feelings of love and longing came rushing back. I was a fool to ever have doubted him. My belly quivered, and I wondered if he was still available and if he would ever take me back. Would we have a chance at love again?

Gary smiled, his eyes crinkling. “I was surprised to hear from you. How have you been?”

I gave a nervous laugh. “I’m fine. It’s been a while.” Why did I feel so nervous?

“You said you found something. What did you find?”

I felt blood rushing into my face. “Um … a bottle with a letter in it.”

Gary’s mouth opened and his face flushed. “You found that?”

“Yes. Yesterday, on the beach.”

He blinked and held my gaze. “I wrote that right after you broke up with me. I …”

“I’m so sorry. I was wrong. That was my fault.” I shook my head. “I should have trusted you. I’m so sorry. I never should have left you.”

His eyes misted. “I never knew why you didn’t believe me. I would never cheat on you. I loved you so much. You were my whole world.” He glanced away, a pink tinge in his cheeks.

I was afraid to ask, but I had to. “Are you still single?”

His gaze came back to me. “Yes. I wasn’t interested in anyone else. I never stopped loving you.”

I swallowed hard. “I still love you, too. I always regretted leaving.”

His face softened, his eyes radiating love. He slowly reached over and took my hand, the familiar warmth of his strong hand enveloping mine. “Can we try again?”

I nodded, feeling a tear run down my cheek. “I would love that.”

His lips curved up in a smile that I always treasured. “I often wondered what happened to that letter.” He shook his head. “I’m glad you found it. And thank you for reaching out to me.”

“It’s amazing that I was on the beach at that time. I guess it’s being in the right place at the right time.” I squeezed his hand. “Your letter really touched me and meant a lot to me. It brought back everything we felt for each other.”

Gary sighed, his eyes roaming over my face. “Thank you for calling and giving us another chance.”

As the waitress came by to take our order, I glanced at Gary. Heat rushed through me. I was already deeply in love with him. That had never gone away. And I would never let him go again.

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