The Last Letter.
Ellie had never strayed from her routines. She would get up at precisely 6:30 a.m., make a cup of Earl Grey tea, and read the newspaper in front of her bright bay window in her small apartment. Just how she liked it, her life was quiet, predictable, and secure. That is, until the first letter arrives.
When she discovered the envelope that had been slipped under her door, it was a crisp autumn morning. The paper felt expensive to the touch because it was creamy and thick. The script for Eleanor Hart was simple and looping. Eleanor was no longer the name she used to go by. Since her grandmother passed away ten years ago, she hadn't been called that. She opened it in awe. Thank you, Eleanor I’ve watched you from afar, though not in the way you might think. The way you look lost in thought, tilting your head back at the café, and laughing in the park are all so captivating. Even though you don't know me, I feel like I do. I might just get up the nerve to say hello one day. Regards, A.
Ellie's pulse quickened. As she read the letter three times, she blushed. Who is capable of writing this? She scanned her memory for faces—the barista at the coffee shop, the man who always jogged past her in the park, the elderly gentleman who frequented the library. No one stood out. She tucked the letter into her desk drawer, half-convinced it was a prank.
Letters, however, continued. A brand-new envelope showed up under her door on Tuesdays like clockwork. With observations about her life and poetic reflections on love and longing, each was more personal than the previous. Ellie found that she was looking forward to them, and her normally peaceful mornings now had a tinge of anticipation. She began to pay attention to things like how the sunlight caught the leaves outside her window and how the wind chimes on her neighbor's balcony rang. The letters were transforming her and bringing back a feeling she hadn't felt in years.
On Tuesday, the letter was different. Thank you, Eleanor. Come see me at the old Elm Street bookstore. This evening, at 7 p.m. I’ll be the one with the red scarf.
Yours, A.
As Ellie read it, her hands shook. She hadn't been out with anyone in a long time, much less with a mysterious stranger. A portion of her desired to ignore it and remain in her routine's safety. It screamed that this was her chance to live a little, even though she hadn't listened to another part in a long time.
Her heart was racing as she stood outside the bookstore that evening. She was greeted by the jingle of the doorbell and the scent of vanilla candles and old books as she entered. And there he was—a late-thirties man with a shy smile and a red scarf. He was tall, had kind eyes, and his brow had a small scar.
“Eleanor,” he said softly, as though her name was a secret only they shared.
“You’re A,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
He corrected with a hand and said, "Adam." “I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time.”
They talked for hours, sitting in the cozy corner of the bookstore. She often sat reading in the park, Adam admitted, where he had first noticed her. He’d been too shy to approach her, so he’d started writing the letters instead. Ellie chuckled as she realized how brave he must have been to reach out.
Their bond grew stronger as the weeks and months passed. Adam’s letters continued, but now they were accompanied by shared moments—walks in the park, late-night conversations, and the kind of love Ellie had thought was only found in books. She discovered that Adam was a dreamer, a writer, and had the same poetic vision of the world as she did.
One evening, as they sat on her balcony watching the sunset, Adam handed her a final letter.
“This one’s different,” he said, his voice tinged with emotion.
Ellie opened it, her breath catching as she read the words:
Thank you, Eleanor You’ve taught me that love isn’t about grand gestures or perfect moments. It's about the ordinary, the quiet, and how two souls can find each other amid life's chaos. Will you let me keep writing about our story?
Adam, forever yours.
As she looked up at him, she shed tears. She whispered, her heart full, "Yes."
As a result, the final letter marked the beginning of their new life together, a life filled with love, laughter, and the promise of numerous additional letters.