Letter Cry

Story Sent in by Billy:

Martha had a neat idea. "Before we meet," she wrote me online, "We should write each other little notes, seal them in an envelope, then read them after the date's over."

I liked the idea, though I had no idea what to write to someone before I even met them. I decided to go funny and thoughtful and ended up writing, "You looked great tonight, and I think you're a sweetheart."

We met and sat down to dinner. Early on, envelopes were exchanged. Aside from her checking her phone a few times too many (i.e., more than once) I had a nice time with her. I looked forward to reading what she wrote me.

When I arrived home, I opened her note and read it:

"Dear Billy,

"I cannot begin to tell you how much you mean to me. Tonight was so wonderful and I cannot WAIT to see you again. The very first time I had a serious boyfriend was in college. We dated for less than a year but to me it felt like a lifetime. We experienced things together that many people go through their entire lives without overcoming. It was an eye-opener in so many ways. And I haven't felt anything like that since, until tonight.

"I hope that you feel the same way (I'll find out when I read your letter). Know that I am really falling for you and that you are the cutest, sweetest, most wonderful guy in the world. You remind me of what happiness was and I think you can fill the hole in my chest. It's a hole that's been pumping nothing for so long. Perhaps it will soon pump with love, a love you and I will both share!

"Eternally yours, Martha."

That was unexpected. I felt at once freaked and concerned. When I called her up to touch base a day later, I left her a message and she never replied.