Title: A Letter Never Sent

Author: Evidence

Rating: PG

Author's Notes: Thanks to D and Maple Street.

A white envelope addressed to him. Sealed and stamped but never sent. His fingers slowly ripped open the envelope and removed the single piece of paper from it. Her handwriting looked back at him.

He found a place to sit and be alone with the letter, with her words to him. The first time he read it through his eyes grew misty. The second time the tears began flowing freely. With the back of his hand he wiped them away looking at the words that he was suppose to read so many years ago:

Dear Jack,

I am writing you this letter because I don't feel strong enough to tell you in person. I've tried to, but my mouth grows dry every time I do. The time we spent together was the only time I truly have ever felt alive. I never planned on falling in love but I did. I lost you to your family and now I feel I'm losing you to geography as well. I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay. Jack, I want you in my life. It seems a lot to ask of one person but I need you and I think you need me too. Please stay, don't move to Chicago.

Love Always,

Samantha

He folded the note back up and put it in the pocket in his black coat, the pocket next to his heart. She had written the letter but never sent it though she kept it all these years. He wept for a few minutes for the love he lost, for the path his life took, that he never received the letter. Then he wiped away his tears again and joined the rest of the mourners.

"Thank you for giving me the letter," he said to Mrs. Spade whose face was wet with tears.

She nodded her head. "I don't know why it didn't make it to the post office. Was it something important?"

"No," he lied letting the secret stay with him. He touched the woman's shoulder and left the funeral reception.

The end.