Summary

Annie, a young mother and former witness protection program member, writes a letter to Heather, thanking her for her kindness during a vulnerable time and confessing to planting microphones in her home under FBI orders, while also seeking advice about her suspicious neighbor.

Abstract

In a heartfelt letter, Annie reaches out to Heather, a stranger who showed her compassion when she was pregnant and distressed. Annie recounts the incident where she lost her shoe and was comforted by Heather, who offered her support and advice. Now a single mother to an 11-month-old daughter, Annie reflects on her past life in witness protection, her testimony against the cartel, and the subsequent safety she now enjoys. However, she grapples with guilt over covertly planting microphones in Heather's home at the FBI's behest and for stealing a mug and chocolates. Annie, who has moved back to Pittsburgh, seeks Heather's wisdom once more as she describes her concerns about a peculiar and potentially dangerous neighbor, fearing for her safety. Despite her worries, she reassures Heather that all is well and expresses her gratitude for the shoes that remind her of Heather's generosity.

Opinions

Annie feels deeply grateful for Heather's past kindness and sees her as a role model for motherhood.
She harbors guilt for the deceptive actions she took under FBI instruction and for taking personal items from Heather's home.
Annie is anxious about her new neighbor's odd behavior, which she perceives as threatening, but she also doubts her own judgment, calling herself "stupid" for her concerns.
Despite her fears, she is hopeful, seeking advice and reassurance from Heather, indicating a continued trust in her judgment and wisdom.
Annie values the mug she stole as a symbol of her aspiration to be a good mother, and it holds emotional significance for her.

Thanks for the shoes

a surprising story in letter form — with audio reading

Dear Heather,

You probably don’t remember me, but I wanted to write a quick thank you. I’m the girl from about a year ago who fell outside the café and lost my shoe down the storm drain. I was so upset because I was 8 months pregnant, and I was terrified I hurt my baby when I fell, and I was crying and talking about Pennywise the Clown stealing my shoe.

You were so nice, coming out of the café, calming me down, and bringing me inside to get cleaned up. You gave me such good advice about life and sympathized with my situation, me being all alone in life and all. I fantasized you were my wise Aunt or something and I could always go to you for advice.

Now I have a baby girl, just 11 months now, beautiful with the bluest eyes ever and the cutest smiles. Her name is Caprice. I struggle, of course, as a single Mom, but I do get special support from the government.

I didn’t tell you the whole truth then… I’m so sorry… but I had run away from my handler in the witness protection program, just feeling claustrophobic and lonely with all the FBI agents who hardly talk at all.

It’s all OK now, though. I testified and they found all the bad guys. There’s nobody left in the Cartel who even knows about me now, they say.

I remember it was so nice of you to take me to your house and find me some shoes and everything and offering to take me to the hospital to get checked. You were so sweet, Heather, and so was your daughter.

I still have the shoes, and they remind me of your kindness, which is why I wanted to write. You see the FBI needed to check you out and made me go to your house the next day when you weren’t there. Your daughter let me in, and I had to put teeny tiny secret microphones all over your house.

I put them in your kitchen, family room, and your bedroom (when I told your daughter I needed to use the bathroom). I am so sorry about that, and I’m sure they were discreet in recording in the bedroom. You shouldn’t worry. Just one thing I feel guilty about… your daughter gave me a few dark chocolate Milky Way bars from your secret stash… and I also took one of your favorite coffee mugs.

I was just so insecure about being a mother and you were so good at it. I’m crying now. I’m sorry. But the mug said “World’s Best Mom”, and I’m so sorry I took it. Breathe, Annie, breathe. It gives me something to aspire to, and Caprice will not buy me a mug like that for a long time. Please, please forgive me.

OK, so I said what I needed to say, and I hope (if you remember me at all) that you don’t think too badly of me. I try to be a good person, I do. I just moved back to my old neighborhood in Pittsburgh to be a little closer to my sister. I’m still careful even though I’m out of WITSEC now.

I just watch her from a distance for now, with her little daughter who is 3. I’m in an apartment building in an OK part of town, and I’m real careful. But I’m just so young and stupid about things, so maybe you have some thoughts on this… I have a weird neighbor that I keep an eye on, gaunt and creepy and always looking hungry.

His hours are strange, and he always glares at me. He conceals his cigarette as I walk up, almost like hiding his habit from his lover. When my cat disappeared, I swear he looked a little bit less hungry. And then I got worried because the landlord disappeared too. I wanted to go to the police, but I was afraid to. I watched him leave yesterday, angry, and he returned wearing different old clothes. He saw me watching, and I started to fear for my life.

What was in those heavy bags he hauled? Yesterday, I found a dead rat in front of my door, and then late last night I watched his window from the roof next door. Blinds were closed, but the shadows were mysterious.

Too much movement. Did I see an axe, chopping? When he opens his door, he always sticks his head out, looks around, then exits with lots of heavy bags.

As of this morning, though, he smiles when he sees me, so I think everything’s OK. You can forget all my babbling. I’m just so stupid.

Anyway, thank you.

Warm regards,

Annie

Originally published at https://vocal.media.

Originally published at https://vocal.media.