Well, it appears that I did send that letter to John after all! I found this letter in my personal effects, hidden between a couple of old photos…

Dear Diane,

I’ve been thinking a lot about you the last few days. I was going to write you a letter sooner before your letter came today.

Thank you for the letter. I’ve had a lot of good times with you too, and would like to say you’re a wonderful person with many interesting facets. The love and support I’ve felt from you over the last ten months has been greater than any other person I’ve ever known, including my family. This love has given me a lot of courage and inner strength. I thank you for this gift. I feel I’ve learned a lot about life from you.

I’m a little sad that our feelings for each other aren’t on the same level and I’m sorry you have been sad the last twenty four hours. Life can be so unfair sometimes.

I hope that you may have learnt something from me too or walked away with a gift as well. I would like to say thank you for the good times we had and the friendship we shared. We shared many intimate details with each other and sometimes knew each other like a well read book.

I’m sorry for my behaviour on Sunday for it was inexcusable but perhaps necessary for us to both realise the reality of our relationship and feelings toward each other.

I’ll never forget you and if you are ever in trouble, I’ll endeavour to help you if you want.

John

This is the 20th essay in the #26essays2017 challenge that I’ve set for myself this year. I’m doing this because I’m the first to admit I’ve become a lazy writer: allowing guest posts and series and cross-posting to make up the bulk of content on The Diane Lee Project across 2016. The brave, fearless writing that readers admired and respected me for has all but disappeared. This year—2017—will be different. I’m reclaiming my voice—my write like a motherfucker voice!

Photo via VisualHunt.com