What’s That Envelope Under My Door?

Sometimes, not every question has an answer

Everyone loves a good prompt. Lynn L. Alexander gave us this tidbit for writing fiction…or not. I’ll let you decide.

“Someone has slipped an envelope with your name on it under your door…”

I didn’t go to work today. I had only the sniffles, but our office agreed our viruses are our own — they’re not meant for sharing.

I didn’t mind the break. It gave me ample time to clean, but who was I kidding? If I didn’t straighten when feeling fine, why would I waste my limited energy tidying? Yet, what about reading and writing? Wasn’t there always time and energy for that?

With three years of writing on Medium and a lofty fourteen hundred stories created, I wondered what was next on the list.

Writing jingles for commercials? This intrigued me.

Writing a personal essay for Reader’s Digest or Chicken Soup for the Soul? I could. Both are on my To-Do list.

Perhaps it’s time to branch out. Maybe take on clients or open a publication. Either sounds doable, but they take confidence and high self-esteem. And let’s talk about time. I need to manage mine better if I’m thinking of branching out.

So, what’s taking up my time beyond my job? Am I truly busy, or am I disorganized?

My condo suggests I’m the latter. With littered paper here and scattered dishes there, you can’t miss the litter pan in the storage room awaiting my attention. I’ll get to them soon, but today’s a free day. It’s a day not unlike the weekend when nothing’s planned other than surviving this headache.

I didn’t say staying home sick was appealing. It’s just that it brings about options.

Earlier, the concierge slipped an envelope under my door. It’s unmarked, other than having my name and address on it. I might not have noticed it if I hadn’t been home, seeing as Huey, my oversized kitten, would likely have hidden it. He enjoys claiming what’s mine as his own.

I’ve stared at it all day, too afraid to open it. It could be the government seeking money, an invitation to a function at the Gallery, or a notice that the courts have selected me for jury duty. Any of these options are plausible, but unlikely, by the envelope’s shape. It looks like a letter, possibly handwritten.

I had planned to wait until my husband got home from work. He’s better at handling surprises than I am, but curiosity is getting the better of me.

I can’t stand the suspense anymore. The tension is building as much in my desire to know what’s inside the envelope as the tension is growing inside my head. I feel a migraine coming on. Blame it on this cold.

But wait!

Fingers, take heed. Don’t open it yet. I suddenly have a sinking feeling. Stop reaching for the envelope opener. Don’t rip back the flap or pull out that lined paper that’s inside.

You think I don’t see you looking for your glasses, or you turning on the overhead light?

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Wait. Say that again. What’s that? It’s a letter from my ex? The one who died over fifteen years ago before we could make amends.

I now see it. His words, “I love you, Karen. I always have and always will,” haphazardly scribbled.

How did he know to send the note to my new address, the one I moved into five years ago, long after his legal execution?

Crap!

Huey, why did the power suddenly go out, and who’s that pounding wildly on my front door?

If you’re looking for this month’s prompts, The Challenged’s got you covered.

Here are the participants and supporters of the pub’s challenges. Please show their stories some love. (Please let me know if you want your name removed from or added to the list. Either is easy to do, per your request. All you need to do is ask in the comments or a note.)

Adrienne Beaumont, NancyO, Randy Pulley, The Sturg, Harry Hogg, Susie Winfield, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Trisha Faye, Bernie Pullen, Michelle Jimerson Morris, Paula Shablo, Brandon Ellrich, Ravyne Hawke, Pat Romito LaPointe, Karen Hoffman, Vincent Pisano, Michael Rhodes, Bruce Coulter, Rachella Angel Page, Pluto Wolnosci 🟣, Lisa Guard, Dixie Dodd, Adrian CDTPPW, Leigh-Anne Dennison, barry robinson, Jerry Dwyer, Jennifer Dunne, Lynn L. Alexander, Keeley Schroder, Julia A. Keirns, Ruby Noir 😈, Emma Vincent, Frances A. Chiu, John Welford, Deborah Joyce Goodwin (Red:The-Lady In Blue), Misty Rae, Jessica Morgan, Tooth Truth Roopa Vikesh, Patricia Timmermans, Maria Rattray, John Hua Technology ☕️, John Hansen, Linda Fode, Zaq Cass, Eva MacInnes, Monica — Will Write for Mangoes, Sharon Meyers, EdD