Author's Note:Hello again! Posting early today because I want to play it safe and get this to you guys on time. Did you all figure out who started the box yet? Was it that obvious? Sigh. A master of mystery, I am not, but hopefully, you still find this story interesting. For the record, writing this chapter almost made me cry because it's just so devastatingly heartbreaking, but then again, it was just such a lousy situation. Maybe I just get overly attached to fictional characters. This chapter is a bit different with the timing because I wanted you to see the responder's point of view while writing. Just bear with me, it'll get funny soon after this! Happy Once Sunday, and enjoy!
Madame Jasper: That's an excellent idea! I should do that, just I don't know when, because school will keep me pretty busy, and that sounds harder than this curse-era one! But someday!
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. I just borrow the characters and play with them for a bit.
*This chapter takes place in the "7:15 AM" era*
The letter was discovered the next morning. Every time this person checked, there had been nothing in the box, yet rumors were starting to spread around town that people had already begun writing letters. These rumors had, of course, been shrugged off, as this citizen was not one to believe in hearsay, but evidence was something that could not be doubted. A letter was indeed placed in the box and awaiting a reply. It was snatched up cautiously, and read over, all next to the telephone pole. The writing was thin and narrow, looped across the page in an almost frail manner. It was lovely to look at, but one was almost afraid it would break from the force of a gaze.
Dear Friend,
I answered one of these letters, so I have earned the right to write one of my own. I have a huge problem. Well, I'm not really sure if it's really a problem, but it's an inkling that's been nagging me for weeks now. My husband has been growing very distant from me. I finally got him back after a traumatic incident a couple months ago, but he might as well not be back at all. Whenever I try to talk to him, he only gives short answers, and it's clear his mind is elsewhere. There's a complete communication breakdown. The same goes for other aspects of our marriage. There is no closeness anymore. He pulls away from me, and I honestly don't know why. Is it something I did? Or is the problem in him? Sometimes, I think he's cheating on me. That could just be paranoia speaking, but I can think of no other explanation. He must be getting his affection elsewhere if he's not seeking any with me. I've tried my best to be a good wife. We had some spats a few years ago, but after he was torn away from me, I realized that I could put my pride aside for him, because our marriage is more important to me. I thought he felt the same way, but apparently he doesn't. Every morning, he's been leaving the house earlier than he needs to for work, and getting back late. He lingers in the diner when getting us coffee, and sometimes I see him smiling a little too long at…no, what am I thinking? My husband is a good man. He wouldn't cheat on me…would he? How can I regain the closeness we once had in our marriage? He's finally back to me, but I miss him more than ever. Please help me, because I honestly can't understand any of this.
Sincerely,
Woeful Wife
Oh no. This letter wasn't meant for my eyes. I shouldn't be reading this. Frantic thoughts rushed through the unwilling recipient's mind. The letter writer's identity was devastatingly clear, and it was apparent that the letter was meant for someone else to find.
How can I answer this letter? It wouldn't be fair to her. But, I have to. Those are the rules. The letter was carefully folded and placed in a large jacket pocket. An answer could be thought of later.
Granny's was bustling, as usual. Good. The noise would provide a good cover. Privacy could often be found in the most crowded of places, a lesson the soon-to-be letter answerer had recently learned. Staring sadly at the beautifully desperate letter once more, a sigh slowly escaped the reluctant responder's mouth as a blue pen was pulled out, and a reply agonizingly scrawled out.
Dear Woeful,
It pains me to read about your plight. Nobody deserves to spend life alone, especially not a person as wonderful as you seem, and you certainly sound lonely. Don't beat yourself up over it. This situation, whatever it may truly be, because you don't know if your husband is cheating on you for sure, is not your fault. From your letter, it sounds like you have been doing everything you can to improve your marriage. Communication is certainly key, but it will do you no good if you can't see things from your husband's perspective. Try and see it his way. This traumatic incident that you mentioned has surely affected him even more so than it has you. He was the one that went through it all, and while I'm sure you were worried sick about him, from the vague description you have given, it must have been even worse for him, actually living it. It may take him some time to adjust. Be understanding with him. He may not know exactly what he wants yet, so give him a little time to figure things out. If you want to help this along, you should probably sit down and have a talk with him instead of writing an anonymous letter to someone who has no idea what the situation is really like. Marriage entails trust, and if you don't trust your husband enough to talk to him about this, then I'm afraid you have your answer about where your marriage is headed. Please think about my words; I do not say them lightly. Take some time to consider what both you and your husband want out of your marriage. Hopefully, your lists will match up. But, there is the possibility that they will not, and you have to be ready for it. I'm sorry to be the one telling you this. You don't deserve to suffer, but neither of you deserves a life without love either. I'm sorry. I really and truly am. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
A Friend
It was with a heavy heart that the letter writer signed. The moniker seemed cruel, taunting even. A friend. A friend, when I could have, should have, been so much more than that, yet I couldn't even do that much for her. With a long sigh, the letter was placed back in the box. Hopefully, she wouldn't take it the wrong way.
Kathryn checked the box on her way home from work. She had been avoiding it all day. Sending the letter had been a bad idea. There was no need to involve anyone else in her marital problems. She should just trust her husband. David was a good man. He wouldn't put her through that sort of torture. She was just imagining things. Maybe all they needed was some time to work things out. No need to jump to conclusions. And yet, she couldn't keep doing this, playing this perverse guessing game anymore. Their marriage was going nowhere fast.
Her letter had indeed been returned in the box. The front was labeled To Woeful Wife in large, solid letters that appeared to have been scrawled painstakingly on the page, legible, yet giving off the impression that this reply had cost a lot. She read it over carefully, once, twice, three times through, before absorbing a single word.
It felt like someone had knocked the breath out of her, leaving her gasping desperately for air. How could someone be that cruel? How dare they tell her that her marriage wouldn't work out? And then, to add insult to injury, apologize for it! This person, whoever it was, was certainly no friend of hers, the letter's salutation jabbing spitefully at her heart. A friend wouldn't do this to her. A friend wouldn't tell her they were sorry, and then say that there was no hope for her marriage to the man she loved dearly! Folding it back up with a huff, she hid the letter in a drawer, where it was sure to be safe from prying eyes. As soon as he got home from work, she would talk to David. This couldn't wait any longer.
Kathryn's correspondent left the safety of the diner hesitantly. Things were clearly not going to turn out as well as hoped. Placing two letters, one old, one new, in the box, the person turned, and made the long, difficult journey home.
A/N 2: So, did you all guess correctly? Congratulations to White Belt Writer, CandyApple75, sudoku, and Kaishei, who did. A lot of you thought it was Ruby, which I found interesting. And honestly, I do think that Kathryn and David were the only married couple in Storybrooke, or at least, the only ones mentioned. Very curious. The last one was a bit tough to figure out, I know, but hopefully this one should be easier. Thank you once again to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited, and followed. I never expected this story to garner such interest, but I'm glad it did, because it is so much fun to write! Don't forget to review with guesses!
