Letters of Connection: The Art of Written Communication

After twentythree years of marriage, Veronicas domestic life had become intolerably dull. Her daughter had wed and moved to London with her husband, leaving only her and Ethan at home. Veronica could see Ethan pulling away, too.

Emma, come over on Saturday, she texted, and Ill ask Lily to join us. Well have a proper catchup like we used to. Ethans off fishing with his mates.

Sounds good, its been ages, Emma replied.

She settled the two friends onto the sofa, turned on a soft record, and slipped into the kitchen. Returning with a tray, she set it on the coffee table, poured whisky into crystal glasses, and smiled at the gathered women.

Heres to us, the beautiful ones!

Glasses rose, though Lily remained solemn.

Why the long face? Veronica asked, Did your virtual boyfriend let you down again?

Lily took a sip, grimaced, and muttered, Ugh, this awful swill.

What? Its fine, isnt it, Emma? the host laughed. We dont drink this every day, just for a bit of fun

Emma giggled, knowing Lily never liked any alcoholneither whisky, wine, nor vodka.

Nina, dont stare at her, Lily protested, Shes a teetotaler. Shell only have a taste once in a hundred years. She lifted half a glass, winced at the strength.

What went wrong? Lily looked at Veronica.

Tell us, how did the date go? Veronica pressed.

It was decent, Lily said. He seems nice, goodlooking, pleasant, not a bore Hes wellset: a business, a flat, a sleek car.

Great start, Emma laughed. By the way, Nina, lets get you on a dating site too.

Why would I? Veronica asked, startled. Ive got Ethan, and it feels improper. You all do whatever you like, meet whomever you want.

Ah, married life! Lily chimed, Anyone recently complain about their partner being inattentive, staring at empty space?

Its not necessary to start an affair, Emma clarified, Just chat for the soul, for a lift of spirits. Lets register you right now.

After a glass of whisky, Veronica agreed. They crowded around the laptop and typed a brief ad: Witty woman with a good sense of humour seeks a man for lively correspondence. My name is Lila.

Work soon swallowed Veronicareports, client meetings, a mountain of emails. Two weeks later, on a Friday, she finally opened her inbox.

About twenty messages stared back, most crass, most discarded. One, however, caught her eye.

Ive long wanted to talk to an intelligent, fun woman. Im married, but my wife has stopped noticing me. Our life is routine, boring. Im not old yetfortyseven, names Ian.

The words mirrored her own marriage. She felt a pang of recognition and typed a reply.

My marriage feels off too. Its sad to admit, but we hardly speak hearttoheart any more. Im hoping for warm conversation, though I still love my husband. I just need a kindred spirit to share thoughts with, even if only by letters.

Lily nudged her. You got a reply?

Yes, but only one was worth keeping. The rest were lewd offers.

Everyone writes whatever they think will attract attention, Lily giggled.

Are you still chatting with your virtual friend? Lily asked.

Oh, more than fine, Emma said. Graham turned out to be a decent bloke, though his soul is still raw after his divorce. His ex ran off with a younger manpractically his sons age. Their son is married now. She shared.

Then heal his heart, maybe youll even marry again, Veronica smiled. Not everything on dating sites is vulgar. Perhaps this is your destiny

Two days later a reply from Ian arrived.

I see we have a lot in common. Im also up for virtual chatting because I love my wife, though she irritates me sometimes. Her friends and their girls nights bother me; they seem frivolous. I cant tell her outright, shed be hurt. She spends more time with them than with me.

Veronica thought it over.

His life sounds dull, but he does love his wife. We too often host girls nights, maybe Ethan feels the same, though he never mentioned it. If he were bothered, hed have said so. She steadied herself.

She answered Ian.

I sympathise with your plight. As for girls nights, women need each others companyto unwind, complain, laugh, even cry. It doesnt mean neglecting the family. In my case, it seems my husband is content.

She told her friends everything about the correspondence; they encouraged her. Lilys own romance with Graham was progressing.

Graham bought holiday packagestwo weeks off, were off to Turkey for a sun soak, Lily bragged.

Lucky you, Lily, Emma replied, no ones invited me on a break I want one too.

Whats your age, Veronica teased, maybe another friend will turn up. Lifes unpredictablekeep hope alive.

Ha! And where is this mysterious friend roaming? Emma laughed.

Soon Lily and Graham were on their Turkish getaway. Veronicas online chat with Ian continued, three messages a week for three months. Ians wit and kindness drew her in deeper.

Meanwhile, tension with Ethan grew. The more hours he spent at work, the more Veronica wrote to Ian. One evening Ethan surprised her with a bouquet.

Ethan, why now? she asked.

Just because, he shrugged, though she sensed it wasnt heartfelt.

A seed of suspicion sproutedperhaps Ethan had a new loverbut she dared not ask.

Then Ian suggested meeting.

Veronica, we never planned to meet, but knowing we live in the same city makes me wonder what youre really like. Lets meet.

She consented.

Theres nothing to loseone meeting isnt an affair. Besides Ethans been busy lately.

She prepared meticulously: a haircut, a new shade, the perfect look. The day arrived, and she imagined Ians face, recalling hed said hed bring a white rose.

She entered the café and froze at a familiar gaze.

Veronica! What are you doing here? Ethan exclaimed, startled.

She noticed a pristine white rose on the table and the truth hit her.

So its you? I never guessed Ian was a fake name.

Just like Lila, Ethan replied with a grin. Sit down, we have a lot to discuss.

She slipped into the seat opposite him. Conversation stumbled at first. Guilt clawed at her for agreeing to a rendezvous behind Ethans back, while anger flared at his own secret meeting. She recalled the words shed written about her husband.

Ethan seemed to wrestle with similar thoughts. Veronica was the first to break the silence.

So you think Ive become less attractive?

Not todayyou look stunning. Unfortunately, that isnt enough for me.

You said you love your wife, is that still true?

Absolutely. Its just that weve stopped understanding each other. You have no time for me, I have none for you, Ethan said mournfully.

And you both still waste hours on that site, Veronica snorted.

I think we should start over, Ethan proposed, and she smiled, accepting.

Okay, Ethan took both her hands, gazed into her eyes. Now I see my beloved wife right in front of me.

And I see my beloved husband. Its a pity the letters will stop, Veronica laughed.

Why? We could keep writing to each other, Ethan replied.