A New Beginning

The next morning, I was dreading what was to come. I had to see my ex again in order to continue our divorce proceedings. I had a feeling he was going to bring up last night and I knew that I would have to hold in the urge to punch him in the face. I woke up around seven and immediately hopped into the shower. I made sure I looked my best before heading out into the kitchen for a quick breakfast.

“Hey chick.” Iris said from the kitchen.

“Hey. Good morning.”

“How’d last night go?”

I walked over to the coffee pot and poured myself a cup.

“Aside from hearing from Kyle...”

“Wait... you heard from Kyle? What’d he have to say?”

“Iris. Does it really matter?”

“He wanted to make sure I was coming in today and...”

Once I told him the rest of what he said, she shook her head.

“Anyway, it went amazingly. We kissed.”

“When? Who made the first move?”

“When we got to his car. Hell, I wanted to kiss him all night. The second I was about to pull apart he turned us around and backed us against the car and continued to kiss me.”

I was off in dreamland.

“Sounds like he was an outstanding kisser.”

“The best and there was so much passion there. I hadn’t been kissed like that in I don’t even know how long.”

“The next step is for you to get laid.”

I rolled my eyes.

“It’s been what? A month? You’ve never gone that long without sex.”

“Things are moving so fast, Iris...”

“Sweetie, I know, but it’s not like you’d be cheating on him or anything.”

“I am feeling the itch. There’s too much of an attraction for us not to.”

I took a sip of my coffee and got items out for cereal.

"So, how do you think things are gonna go this morning?"

"I honestly don't know. I just know I don’t wanna see his fucking face and end up riding up on the elevator with him.”

“And hearing what he has to say.”

“That too.”

After I ate breakfast, I went to brush my teeth followed by saying my goodbyes to Iris.

“Good luck and have a good day, Har!”

“Thanks! Have a good day!”

When I got into my car, I took a deep sigh before starting my car. I arrived at the building early in order to be away from Kyle for as long as possible; luckily, he’s not exactly one to get to places early. I waited outside the office for ten minutes when I heard his footsteps.

“Hey Har.”

“You have no right to call me that anymore. You should know that.”

“I just like to get under your skin. I heard Kyra tell you everything. How did it make you feel?”

I didn’t answer him in fear I’d break down again.

“You don’t need to say anything. Your silence says it all.”

Just a handful of minutes later passed when we were called into the office. The bastard didn’t even bother to hold the door; the man I once was in love with turned into a person I no longer recognized. I sat on the opposite side of the table and tried to avoid looking at him as much as possible. He grinned at me and I couldn't stand it; I wanted to be in the company of someone who would never treat me like this. I wanted to be in the company of Alex and maybe not even vent, just being with him would be sufficient enough for me. We were there for twenty minutes and when time was up, I couldn't have gotten out of there faster.

Hey. Text me or hell, even call me when you can. It's not an emergency. I'd just love to talk to you.

I just had to text him before I left the parking lot. I headed into work excited to get writing. The first letter I read made me smile from ear-to-ear.

Dear Harper,
I'd love your opinion on this girl I recently met who drives me crazy in the best way possible. She's going through an incredibly tough time right now and all I want for her to be is happy because she seems to be such a beautiful person inside and out. She truly deserves everything wonderful in the world. Anything I can do to make things easier for her?

Sincerely,
Hopeful Alex in Baltimore

That just had to be my Alex.

Alex,
This girl sounds like she's worth it. We all go through our tough times and those who make it out, tend to become even stronger than before. Simply just be there for her whenever she needs it, more like always be there for this amazing person you're describing. I hope things work out between the two of you because she sounds like she's worth everything and more. Best of luck, Hopeful Alex in Baltimore!

Sincerely,
Harper

My heart melted as this may be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I could not wait to speak to him as soon as possible. At lunchtime, he texted me back.

Mind if I call you?

Go right ahead.

I heard my phone ring just a few seconds later.

“Hey.” I answered.

“Hey. What’s up?”

Like he didn’t know.

“I read your letter to the paper today.”

“What makes you think it was me? It totally coulda been another Alex.”

“I know it was you and it was very heartfelt.”

I could sense him blushing.

“Well, I was really debating on whether or not to do that. I felt that it was a gutsy thing to do.”

“And you went through with it. I loved it.”

“What’d you say?”

“You’re just gonna have to read the paper tomorrow like everyone else.”

He groaned and I laughed.

“Anyway, how was your morning?” he asked.

“For the most part, horrible. I had to see Kyle and he was a fucking dick the entire time, even in the waiting room.”

“What’d he say?”

Once I got through what I wanted to say, he scoffed.

“I honestly don’t know what I saw in him. You’re a breath of fresh air.”

“And he’s carbon dioxide.”

I laughed.

“Exactly.”

"It's so good to hear you laugh."

"Thanks for making me laugh. So, what are you up to?"

"My pleasure. Just eating for the first time today."

"When did ya wake up? It's one o'clock."

"Half hour ago."

"Your schedule is so fucked up. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, but I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't be though."

"It is what it is. Hey, I never asked what you were up to?"

"On my lunch break. I actually haven't pulled out of my work's parking lot.”

“Go eat. I don’t wanna keep you from eating.”

“Well, in that case, I will. I’ll talk to ya later.”

“Bye Harper.”

“Bye Alex.”

I smiled and hung up my phone. I started my car and headed out for lunch. The rest of the work day was amazing and I came home as happy as I could be.

"What's up, cuz?" Iris asked when I got home.

"A lot. Kyle was an ass as usual, Alex sent in a letter and I spoke to him."

"Alex did what?"

"He sent in this letter about a woman he recently met that he was crazy about. He ended it with, Hopeful Alex in Baltimore."

"Aww... what did it say? Did you reply?"

"As I told him, you have to read it in the paper like everybody else."

She sighed.

"He cutely denied it over the phone, saying ‘how'd you know it was me?’"

"He's wonderful. You caught a good one."

"Things aren't even official."

"Still and I understand why, but it will be."

It truly will be. I know it in my heart.

Notes