The next morning she woke up to find John still asleep beside her. She glances at the clock on the bedside table, it isn't even 6 yet. As much as she hates him laying beside her with his arm across her, she's comfortable and doesn't want to move. She lays there for a while, listening to the sound of him softly breathing next to her, feeling his heart beat. She closes her eyes again, wishing it was Mark there with her, not John. Her thoughts drift off taking her back to the broken fragments of what she believes is memories that do nothing more than confuse her. She shakes them off, forcing herself to go back to sleep.
She sees the envelope sitting on her dresser. She lifts it gently and slides her fingers beneath the flap, gently opening it her heart pounding in her chest upon seeing who's name was written in the return address. She pulls the yellow lined paper from it and unfolds it slowly.
Maria,
This letter isn't the easiest thing in the world to write, much less to start off. I know you're probably not happy with me right now. I hope you at least read this letter, but then again I wouldn't blame you if you didn't open it at all. Just read the front of the envelope then unceremoniously drop it in the trash. If you are reading this, there's a good chance that there's a hint of hope left still in you. Hope that I'm not that monster everyone has probably talked you into believing that I am by now. I can't tell you if I am or not, that's just a judgment you'll have to make for yourself. What I did I believe is right but…everyone there has their own point of view and own side of the story to tell you. God knows if you've talked to Glenn then I'm the scum of the Earth by now, meaning no more to you then the dirt on the bottom of your shoes. Ah I'm rambling aren't I? What I was writing was to tell you whether or not you love me anymore I will ALWAYS ALWAYS love you. I didn't write a return address on the envelope if you notice I just put my name. It's kind of depressing where I am right now so I don't expect any letters back. I guess I'm kind of protecting myself as well, protecting myself from hoping that a letter comes and one never does come. Of course you could always be pissed off at me and send me a letter explaining just how much you hate me. Anyway I'm rambling aren't I? Forgive me there's just so much I want to tell you in this one small letter and it's all coming out wrong. Anyway to the point. I love you, and always will but I'll have to let you go now. Who knows maybe our paths will cross again some day. Maybe you'll still love me, maybe you'll hate me, or maybe you won't remember me at all. I hope you'll remember me. And someday I hope to have the strength to tell you what really happened the night I lit the world on fire. Until then I'll be thinking about you baby, I hope you'll think of me too.
Don't let me fade away,
Love you forever,
Mark Callaway
John shifts slightly beside her, snatching her attention back from the old memory and back into the present.