Letters to Oliver: I Wish I Had Never Left

by Sentimentalthoughts

Higher Ground left me wishing to hear the letters from Shane to Oliver. Since we didn't get that privilege, I decided to try to write a few. Again, it is the incredible skill of Martha Williamson and the talent of actors who have bring these characters to life and to our imaginations.

7. Chapter 7: Irreplacible

April 9

Dear Oliver,

The reality of staying here another 6 – 8 weeks has hit me. As soon as I arrived I could tell it would be more than two or three weeks - but ten weeks, twelve weeks. I'm trying to press on – to do the right thing. As long as I've known you, you always seem to do the right thing – even when it is hard. Staying here may be doing the right thing. It is certainly the hard thing to do.

I wonder how things are going at the DLO? I know that three of you must be busy. I wonder if they sent a temporary replacement for me? Please note the use of the word temporary.

I once said that I knew that you would have no trouble replacing me. It was one of times I quit, in case you have forgotten. To be specific, it was the time that you were almost dispatched with your favorite letter opener. These are the events that led to my quitting that time. I never really told you. Somehow I think you knew. Holly's sudden return from Paris and my part in that return had already created quite a stir. Caitlyn and Joey had invited us all to the comedy club that night. I had gone with Rita and Norman. I heard Caitlyn and Joey say that a funny thing happened on the way to their divorce, they fell back in love. I thought of you and Holly. The reality that the two of you could fall back in love hit me pretty hard. I was torn. I knew how seriously you took your marriage. I knew that I wanted only the best for you. I left the club and was walking back to the DLO when I walked past the Mailbox Grille. There you were with Holly. I saw you dancing with our steps. I saw you kiss her. I want you to know that if had you reconciled with Holly, I would have never attempted to interfere. But if you had reconciled, I couldn't bear to watch you together either. Somewhere between a coffee cart and a porch swing, you became irreplaceable to me. That's why I quit that night.

On our walk back from E Phlat, you asked about why I stayed. You are the reason that I stayed at the DLO. You are the reason that I want to return.

This week I will talk to Steve to see if there is a way to let you know that my return is delayed.

Hopefully irreplaceable to you,

Shane