Dear Henry (Buddy),
Hey, hey! Don't be sad about it! I'll get to see you, and hear what you have to say! It'll be okay, I promise.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I'm sorry, the last time I wrote to you was four days ago. I'm such a failure. What do I have to live for anymore? I'm nothing more than a failure.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
The general is starting to worry for me. I told him that I'm fine, just like everyone else. The truth is... I'm not. I'm not okay. I feel like your the only person who understands that. I just don't want to tell anyone because their gonna start doing something about it, but I can deal with it myself. Seriously! People need to stop worrying!
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I hope nobody finds my notes. This is something I want to keep just between you and me. I have my reasons to, aswell. What? What do you mean I should tell someone I'm depressed? No way! That will just make people more and they will tell more people! I'm not going to tell them!
Dear Henry (Buddy),
Why should I stop searching? I can make my own choices, I don't need to have a ghost watch over me. Anyways, do you have any suggestions on how I should do it? I don't want it to be painful, just quick and painless. Huh? What do you mean I shouldn't do it at all?
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I'm insane, thinking I can hear you talk to me. I'm a failure and I've lost my mind. Great! Things are going just great! I also had to stop eating a little bit so I can pay for medications.
...
What are you talking about? I should stop taking my medications? Why?
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I haven't told anyone about my money struggles, but they are starting to notice that I've haven't eaten in a few days, because I've been going thin. I just hope I can get more money soon before I'm forced to give up my medications.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
This is terrible. I have to wear my coat all the time to hide myself, so people don't notice that I'm starving. It's fine, really, I'll be okay. Stop worrying, it doesn't matter.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I pick up my pace everytime I walk by someone. The only time I leave my house is when I pick up my medications or I have to do something involving the government. I've just given up on sleep at this point, I don't need it if I can't take it.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I've given up my medication because I don't have enough money to pay for them. I started crying. My life is collapsing right in front of me and I can't do anything about it!
Dear Henry (Buddy),
Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that I have enough money for food again. The bad news is that everytime I eat something I always throw it back up later. Great. Now I can't even eat. Darn it!
Dear Henry (Buddy),
Terrible news. My general found out I was struggling, and really badly too. I told him I could sort it out. And that was a lie, of course. I couldn't let anyone know I was weak.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I found out how I could eat again. That's something good coming for me, I guess. I just have to eat really small portions of food and I have to let them get into bigger portions over time. I mean, it's hard not to eat more than I have to, but I'm doing it.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I'm still planning out a note to give to the general. Its gonna be long, but hopefully it will be worth it. It says so far:
Dear General,
By the time you read this, I will be dead. I'm sorry, my life was falling apart and I can't so anything about it. I started struggling with depression, and anxiety, then I have to give up food for medications, than I gave up medications and got to eat again.
And thats all I wrote so far. What else should I write?
Dear Henry (Buddy),
Sorry that its been almost a week since I last wrote to you. But I have some more money now, and life is getting a little easier. I'm a little relieved, but I'm still pretty shaky from anxiety. At this point, the whole government knows I'm struggling. I don't need help. I can get through this by myself.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I found this stray dog around my house. It looks like a mix between a German Shepard and a Samoyed. Its pure white, and it looks like a German Shepard, but small. She seems like a good pet to have, but I honestly don't have the money to take care of her right now. I mean, I barely have enough for myself.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I picked up the bad habit of nail biting. It hurts a lot sometimes. Maybe it's because I'm writing too much? Doesn't matter. I will write to you as much as I can. Plus, it doesn't hurt as much as my depression does.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I still miss you, buddy. You traitor. I'm such an idiot, missing a traitor like you. Also, I have a question for you, about your revenge. Was it worth it?
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I haven't left my room in about two months. I usually only leave for my basic needs. Then I go straight back to my room. I've went from being an extrovert to being an introvert so fast, huh?
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I hate social interaction. It's way easier when you can just write notes to eachother, y'know? By the way, I've still been working on that note to the general. I need to give it to him soon before someone finds out that I'm writing it.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
Sometimes I go outside and pet the stray dog. She's a good girl, but I don't wanna give it a name, then I'll get attached to it, and she might get attached to me. No, no she wouldn't. Nobody likes me.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
The dog is still around my house. She comes by at the same time everyday, wanting to be pet by me. I think she wants me to be her owner, but why would she want that? I wouldn't be a good owner anyways. I haven't met any of the military dogs and I know nothing about their care.
Dear Henry (Buddy),
I've finished my note to general, but I'm not ready to give it to him. I want to set a date, but when?
Dear Henry (Buddy),
Okay, I have set a date. I will give general the note the night before. Goodnight, buddy.
The note on Charles' desk read;
Dear General,
By the time you read this, I will be dead. I'm sorry, my life was falling apart and I can't do anything about it. I started struggling with depression, and anxiety, then I have to give up food for medications, than I gave up medications and got to eat again. I didn't want to ask for help, everyone would think I was weak. Which, I am. I just a failure, a bad luck charm, an idiot. I've been writing notes to Henry every night, and I've given up on sleep. Well then, this is goodbye, I guess.
- Charles Calvin