By Jim Woessner
‘Dearest Mike, I can’t go on. Love, Leslie.’
When I picked up the scrap of paper from the sidewalk, my first impulse was to call 9-1-1. But what would I say? I didn’t know either one. Was Leslie ending their relationship or her life? Did she throw the note away before sending it? Or had Mike tossed it after reading it? Was he that callous? Did he even love her? Clearly, Mike didn’t deserve someone like Leslie.
I had to take her point-of-view. What else could I do? In the end, it was all too much. I threw the note away.
Good, and different.
I read a story once about a young man who stopped to ask a young woman why she was crying. They became involved, married, had a family except all the developments were in his head. He saw her crying but didn’t stop to ask why and walked on by. There are so many “if only” moments in this life with so many different outcomes. I like this story.
Love this! Clever! Well done!
Very well done. Leaves the readers in suspense. Lets them exercise their imagination unfettered!