Page 18 of Last Letters to Ara
“Yep. Cool.” Theo’s answer is too delayed, he’s holding his breath. Either to stop himself from moving, or to hide how hard he is breathing, I can’t tell.
I mean, I’m not an eyesore or anything, but as my ex put it, my looks are an “acquired taste.” His message was loud and clear, I’m not the type anybody lusts over. They want the blondes with massive tits, not a brunette B-cup covered in freckles. Cameron said he loved my imperfections, but the fact that he had to call them that says enough.
Then I remember the part where it doesn’t matter if Theo finds me attractive because I’m not sleeping with him or plan on ever seeing him again. He’s a means to an end, and I need to get my head in the game. Mentally bitch slapping the hell out of myself, I mean arealfucking smack, I begin reading the letter.
Sarah (I don’t know your last name)7thof February 2023(Add phone number) (Add Address) (Add position title)
Dear Karen,
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from the position of (insert position title again here) at The Airport Café, and consider my final two weeks commencing upon receipt of this letter.
As I’m sure you well know, respect and compassion are very important qualities, and since working here, I’ve learned how important it is to have them in a professional environment as well.
As my supervisor, you’ve helped me develop valuable skills on how to handle extremely rude and abrasive individuals who seek to belittle others, starting with the realization that those individuals only treat others the way they do because they have nothing happy in their lives and want to make everyone as miserable as them.
I thank you for this knowledge and experience that you are directly responsible for. It has given me strength and the ability to recognize my worth, which I will carry with me into my career going forward.
All the best,
Sarah (Last name here)
Whoa.He can wield words like weapons. Looking back to Theo with wide eyes, his gaze is already on me and I know it’s never left.
“Well? What do you think?”
“Remind me to never piss you off.”
He laughs.
“It’s perfect.” Just in case there was any confusion.
“I’m glad. All we need to add is your contact information.”
“Yeah, nice try, stalker.”
He chuckles. “At least give me your email so I can send it to you.”
“Don’t those snazzy MacBooks have AirDrop?”
“Well, I just thought maybe you’d share your number with a friend,” Theo says as he copies it to his notes and AirDrops it to me anyway.
“Are we friends?”
“I’d like to be.”
Friendships are like relationships. They never end well. Take it from me. Eyes near pleading, Theo waits with bated breath for my answer. I’m not sure why it matters so much to him.
At the end of the day, it’s not Theo who caused that pain. I can’t keep using the actions of individuals who live in the past to define my future. Dad wanted me to remember what it’s like to live. Isn’t part of that having a friend, at the very least, to share it with?
This could be the first step toward taking control of my life again.
“Okay. I’ll try.”
“Why do you make it sound like it’s going to be hard?”
If he only knew. “Because it will be.”
“If we’re friends, the reason behind it is something you’d share with me.”
