Dear Reader,
I am back with another one-shot. I have to thank manuelmusical14 for this great story prompt. I hope you like it, manuelmusical14! I hope you all do. There are a lot of things in my life that I haven't received closure for, so I hope this story will help you if there is a lack of closure in your life.
Yes, I Got Your Letter, Yes, I'm Doing Better
Zoe sat in the backseat of her dad's car, a wide grin gracing her face.
She had been waiting for this day since over four years ago.
"How does it feel, Zo? I'm sorry- I think so many people have asked you that tonight." Cynthia gazed in the rear view mirror.
Her daughter smiled at her and her proud face. "I honestly feel so relieved."
Larry pulled into their driveway as Zoe noticed graduation balloons tied to the mailbox.
"Aw, Mom, Dad- You guys did enough."
"Did you do that, Larry?"
"No."
Zoe's brows furrowed. "Then who did…?" she hopped out of the car, curiously and carefully (since she was in heels) running to the mailbox.
She pulled it open, finding a simple white envelope sitting beside a medium-sized box.
Taking it out, she glanced at the return address.
This is Evan's address.
She walked up the driveway, staring at the letter and package in a daze.
The whole mess started with a letter.
Her parents looked at her expectantly as she entered the kitchen.
"Who's it from?" Cynthia asked as she put leftovers from dinner into the fridge.
"Um, it's from Evan."
They froze. "Evan." Her dad repeated.
"Is he all right?" Is what her mom followed with.
Zoe shook her head. "I don't know."
She shakily opened the envelope, which was addressed to all three of them.
Finding three papers inside, she handed them to her parents.
Unnecessarily terrified, she began to read.
Dear Zoe,
I don't know how I should even start. I'm sorry, first and foremost. What I did to you was a horrible, horrible thing and I completely understand if you haven't forgiven me, or if you never do. I didn't really know Connor, as you now know, but I believe he did think you were awesome. He got so mad about my letter because of what it said about you. He just wanted to protect you. I think that's partly why he did what he did to himself. He wanted to keep you safe from himself.
I loved you, Zoe. I think you are one of the strongest, kindest, most beautiful people on this earth. I have never known someone who has been through more and is still continuing to fight through life.
I purposely sent this letter and package (and had the balloons delivered) on the day of your graduation. I wanted to let you know that even though my opinion should not and probably does not matter to you, I am so proud of you.
I don't expect forgiveness, and I most certainly don't expect you to forget, but I do hope you know that the lie started out of love for your family. That is probably really hard to believe and might sound like a load of crap, but it did. I could not bare to see you guys suffer.
That is also the purpose of his letter now. I hope to help lessen your suffering and the pain I have caused.
I wish you all only the best. I hope the years to come are infinitely better than the previous ones.
Happy graduation. I hope this gives you some closure.
Sincerely,
Evan Hansen
Zoe wiped her tear-filled eyes. She looked up at her parents.
They smiled at her, their emotions all over the place.
"Do you want to open the package?"
She nodded, accepting the box cutter from her dad and slowly cutting it open.
She lifted the paper off of the gift and gently took out what was inside.
First thing she noticed was a certificate.
Looking carefully at the print, she read it aloud. "A donation has been made in the Murphy family name to the Active Minds mental health charity for five thousand dollars." Her voice trickled down to a breath.
Where in the world did Evan get five thousand dollars?!
The three stood there, letting what he had done for them and for people like Connor sink in.
Zoe picked up the other contents of the package.
Next was a print that looked like it was meant to be displayed above an entryway table.
It read: The heart will break, but broken live on. -Lord Bryon
The quote applied on many levels to what the Murphys had gone through.
The last thing he had sent was an apple pie scented candle, which had a small card attached to it.
"Gluten free apple pie scented. This candle is now available online at the.Connor. and 80% of the cost goes towards the mental health charity of your choice." Zoe allowed herself to smile. "Then he wrote a note beside it saying it was Alana's idea and he found it while checking up on the Connor Project."
She set the candle down beside the other two gifts and walked over to her parents.
She hugged them tightly. They held onto her just as fiercely.
"I'm glad we're all slowly being able to move forward." Larry said, squeezing Zoe's shoulder.
His wife and daughter nodded in agreement.
"Me too, Dad."
Closure is such a beautiful thing. Not because it helps to fully end one chapter but because it marks the real beginning of a new one. – Qiya Solihin
Thank you for reading this story! I appreciate it. Comments are also appreciated, but please state your opinion kindly. :) Thank you again. I hope you enjoyed.
Sincerely,
DearElizaHamilton
