Hello, my love,

Well, it has taken me all this time to save up enough to buy a stamp, paper, and an envelope. But I persevered and here we are. (Side note: how men manage to form prison relationships, afford the stationery to write back and forth, and marry when they are released, I’ll never know.)

I don’t know if I would properly call this a love letter—you know I’m not great at these things—but it is most certainly a thank-you letter. Thank you for loving me through all this hell. Thank you for believing in me and fighting for me even on the dark days. I wouldn’t have made it through this ordeal without you, and every night, as I fall asleep, I imagine that I am holding you in my arms, like I used to, like I often took for granted. I will never take you for granted again. Or Iris. Or our wonderful life. We really do have it all, and I’m not sure I even realized it.

I love you more than words can say, and I am doing everything I can to get out of here and back to you, soon. So very soon. You are the world’s greatest wife, and what I did to deserve you, I’ll never know. But I’ll spend the rest of my life reminding you how cherished you are. I promise.

All my love,

Bill

I wiped my eyes and put the letter back in the envelope, knowing that I would read it again and again and again. I wished briefly that Bill had saved his money for a tuna packet, but no. I needed this today. Even from inside, he was still taking care of me. And today, now, I would go into work, hold my head high, support our family, and take care of Bill the only way I could at the moment. Until he was back home with me again. Any day now, I hoped.

As I walked into Montoya & Sons, I realized I would miss the fluorescent lights and weird smell, the dingy carpet, and Gabe. And, yes, even Agnes. I was so grateful for them. They had stood by me and helped me when others turned their backs. And it surprised me how much I hoped, deep in my heart, that I got to stay.

Iris Men 101