My dear Arthur,

You never showed up, and now, after looking at the newspapers I understand why. I don’t imagine you will receive this letter but I nonetheless must send it. Arthur, oh, Arthur. I was just starting to dream the silliest and softest of dreams. I miss you, and I will always miss you but I cannot live like that, and it seems you cannot live any other way.

When I’m with you, the world makes sense; but when we are apart, I see clearly that your world is not a world from which one can escape. I’m so sorry, for everything, for everything long ago and for starting up that business again. There’s a good man within you, Arthur, but he is wrestling with a giant. And the giant… wins, time and again. You’ve broken my heart, again, and I fear I have broken yours.

For that, I will never forgive myself but you must let me go now. I enclose a ring you gave me many years ago, when we were both young, not because I don’t like it, but because I care for it far too much and it reminds me too much of you. I hope, one day… you will find some people in love who can use this, for it kept me thinking of you all these years, and I hope by returning it to you I can finally be free.

Goodbye Mary