It’s the kind of letter no one wants to receive from someone she loves. It’s written in a neat cursive hand, like a veteran schoolteacher who wants her students to appreciate the beauty of penmanship in a world of texting: a completely losing proposition.

Dear Regina,

You aren’t making this easy. You don’t seem to want to listen. I need you to hear me now. I love you. I really do. You will always be one of the best parts of my life.

It’s easy to see where this is going. I could stop reading now. “One of the best parts” is an inimitable beginning of a goodbye.

We did something amazing here on our farm, our piece of paradise. The two of us created a world. We really did. Remember how our friends thought we were crazy? We showed them all, didn’t we? I know that. I honor that. And, yes, I loved it here for a long, long time. But for a while now, I’ve been feeling the need for more. I can’t ask you for anything because you have given me all of you. All you have. I have so much appreciation and gratitude for you.

Here’s the hard part. You need to know this. I’m no longer in love with you. I want us to separate in the spirit in which we came together. Do you love me enough to let me go? Know that I will always cherish you, but I need to leave. I’m sorry. I really am.

Love,

Amy

Amy’s words are heartfelt. I feel sorry for her. I know about those kinds of feelings too. I left someone long ago and it was only because I couldn’t save both of us. I couldn’t be what he wanted me to be.

I know the next letter will be from Regina; a suicide note, I suspect. I start to read and it’s immediately clear that I’m wrong. This missive was written in a rage. Pen strokes made with such fury some tore through the paper.