An apologetic letter or email from an old flame suddenly arrives — many years too late.

Posted in Dramatic on Nov 22, 2024

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✍️ 74 stories

“Missed Connection” by Dave Stanley

Submitted to Contest #278

“I was wrong, and reckless then. You deserve so much better, and it is a wonder that you even stayed in the relationshi--” “Wait, wait, hold on. Kim said this? The psycho from a few years back?” Tracy was pissed and beside himself, but his curiosity trumped his incredulity and he wanted to learn more. “She did, apparently,” I said. “There are even a few strategically placed “tear drops” on the paper.” He and I both knew that was her manipulative style—take a few drops of Visine and put one or two near an emotional passage in ...

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“The Last Letter” by Deborah Whytock

Submitted to Contest #278

The mail was here. Alexa announced it, and Sandy sounded off. Short of mealtime and shadowing me, it was her only job. Not the right type of work for a cattle dog, but I don’t have horses anymore. They’re such a smart breed and loyal to a fault. Their personality is very distinctive, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. I’ve had them for years, and I can’t imagine having any other type of dog. Anyway, Sandy’s old now. I don’t think she’ll last another year. She was an adorable puppy, all white except for that black mask. She would fall asleep ...

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“After My Gramps Died” by Moonhunter 123a

Submitted to Contest #278

Thunder flashed, once across the sea of dead bodies headed by engraved stones. Droplets of rain followed soon after, heeding the call of it's master. Damn, I’d better go before I completely get dampened, i muttered as I hurriedly got up, brushed my knees for the grass and dirt and blew a farewell kiss to grandfather, safe from the rain, 6 ft under. The rain followed me, like a careless mischievous child, taking care to land on my glasses and favourite coat, hence when I finally slid into my red car,parked unfort...

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“The Letter Of Lane Lagowitz” by Jean Cortondo

Submitted to Contest #278

The Letter Of Lane Lagowitz. It begins with a letter. No, not just a letter—her letter. The one I never thought would come, the one that somehow found its way to me after ten years. Ten years of silence of distance, of worlds apart, and with it, a reminder of everything I had long buried. There’s something unsettling about the weight of it. The paper feels familiar as if it holds the memory of our every word. I could almost hear her voice—the way it would have sounded if she had said the words alo...

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“Saudade” by B Vathsalaa

Submitted to Contest #278

I rolled over and my hand grazed a warm, breathing figure. My husband. Boy was it comfortable and warm being snuggled up in the covers. I closed my eyes again, sleep awaiting to take me to dreamland again. A few seconds later, my eyelids flew open again. What time was it? Was it a work day? I turned over, and felt around for my phone. With one eye open, I saw it read 05:30. Right, it was time to get up. Sighing heavily, I sat up, the covers pooling around me. It was just a usual Wednesday, as it was always, week after week. Nothing out of th...

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“Deadly Accountability ” by Katherine Memoli

Submitted to Contest #278

Deadly Accountability Laurel sat paralyzed looking at her laptop screen, her breath catching at the sight of the name staring back at her, right there in the middle of all her unread emails, NatLansing@rtu.com. Why would Nathan Lansing be emailing her after 16 years. Just seeing his name was enough to transport her back to that beach, to that day in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was 24 years old and looking into the eyes of the man she thought she would...

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“Austin nights ” by Elisabeth Mendoza

Submitted to Contest #278

Hey Theo,I know this message might catch you off guard, and I wouldn’t blame you if you chose not to read it. I know I owe you an apology, but so much time has passed, and so many things have happened that I’m not even sure where to start. Still, I hope you’ll keep reading.The last time we saw each other wasn’t under the best circumstances. You hated me then, and I was angry at you, too. But I know you don’t hate me now—not because I want to feel better about myself, but because I know you. You know me, too. I’d rather be hated than forgotte...

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“A Coincidental Meeting ” by Amy Lynn

Submitted to Contest #278

A Coincidental Meeting Prolog “Keric, I know you will be surprised to hear from me after all this time. It is important for me to finally come clean and tell you my side of why everything happened the way that it did. I know that my apology is coming late but I feel that I must make it now. I will say, for now, that I am sorry for all the pain that I have caused you. It is my hope that enough time has passed that you can hear me out. If not, I will understand and not bother yo...

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“The Letter” by Gary Gallant

Submitted to Contest #278

THE LETTERThaddeus B. Griswald heard the mail scrape through the slot and hit the floor. He glanced at the time on the ancient grandfather clock, turned his wrist over, and looked at the new Rolex. The times were the same. Thaddeus gave a satisfied grunt. He demanded accuracy. The mail was late. It was the second time this week. The postmaster would hear about it. He gathered the mail from the floor and returned to his big red leather chair by the fire, Gas, not real logs. He had switched after the house next door had burned down when an emb...

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“Love, Val.” by Justin Hughes

Submitted to Contest #278

Monday, 4:23pmVal to PeterHello, Peter.Long time no see. Are you still based in Whitby? Would love to catch up.1x attachment (IMG_023.png)Love,Val Wednesday, 2:45pmPeter to ValHey, Val.Apologies, I’ve been away and have only just checked my emails. Though, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you again. I’m not sure what you remember. You look well. You look as if you haven’t aged a day, actually. Unfortunately, I’m not in Whitby anymore; we moved to London last year. Could I ask what made you email?Cheers, Peter Wednesday, 6:02pm...

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“For the one that died.” by Adriana Carciuc

Submitted to Contest #278

When I left, it took everything in me not to reach out to him again. My hands hovered over my phone, the urge to send one last message gnawing at me. My heart begged for one last connection, one final chance to explain. But I restrained myself. I knew reaching out would only drag me back into the spiral of suffering I had fought so hard to escape.It didn’t seem fair to leave as I had initially planned—to just vanish without a word, without any explanation. A part of me felt guilty. In my naive heart, I believed maybe he didn’t fully understa...

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“The Roughest Red Letter” by Jaiden Blazi

Submitted to Contest #278

I am living in what feels like a sea of sadness and bitterness with the way that my life turned out.Specifically the family I had after Bernice Newmont.We broke up because we met different people.She met someone who treated her better than I did apparently.She ended up marrying Darius Newmont.The guy who I could never live up to even though I was good at surpassing the others.Bernice thought the world of him and he certainly thought the world of Bernice.But I think that Bernice was so hurt with what happened when we were 16.I screwed up and ...

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“Inspiration and Apology” by Kim Broadwell

Submitted to Contest #278

On …Lisa Frazier<redbird999@blab.us> wrote: Whoa! You’re the last person I expected to hear from after all these years. What a surprise in my mailbox yesterday. So many conflicting emotions and things to say… First off, how in the world did you find me? Second, I’m totally impressed and flattered that you wrote a novel, and I might have been something of an inspiration! I started reading it last night and I am enjoying it a lot. Third, what have you been doing with your life these past three decades? (Besides writing a book.) I confess...

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“Erica's grief” by Souraj Krishnan

Submitted to Contest #278

It was a cold December afternoon in Hoboken, New Jersey. Erica sat down with her cup brimming over with piping hot coffee, looking out the window at the majestic Manhattan skyline before sighing and looking down at her computer screen. She frowned while scrolling through a barrage of unread emails, “Frank…you idiot”, she mumbled under her breath. Erica was scrounging through her late husbands gmail inbox searching for paperwork pertaining to their mortgage. It had been over a year since Frank had passed and as much as Erica liked t...

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An apologetic letter or email from an old flame suddenly arrives — many years too late.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 74 stories

“Missed Connection” by Dave Stanley

“The Last Letter” by Deborah Whytock

“After My Gramps Died” by Moonhunter 123a

“The Letter Of Lane Lagowitz” by Jean Cortondo

“Saudade” by B Vathsalaa

“Deadly Accountability ” by Katherine Memoli

“Austin nights ” by Elisabeth Mendoza

“A Coincidental Meeting ” by Amy Lynn

“The Letter” by Gary Gallant

“Love, Val.” by Justin Hughes

“For the one that died.” by Adriana Carciuc

“The Roughest Red Letter” by Jaiden Blazi

“Inspiration and Apology” by Kim Broadwell

“Erica's grief” by Souraj Krishnan

🌟 Similar prompts

A family argument gets out of hand. Neither side will budge, requiring a mediator with unusual methods.

A character gets caught red-handed breaking the rules, but they refuse to admit any wrongdoing. What happens next?

A court or disciplinary hearing is taking place — but the person accused does not know what they’re apologizing for.

On their deathbed, a relative/friend/partner admits to a horrible crime. Will the narrator reveal the secret or keep it hidden?

Contest #278

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

262

Contest entries

101

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: