How to Be Broken

by [pens&feathers]

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Maybe you didn’t know, but when someone you used to be engaged to dies, everybody looks at your differently. Even the people in the post office. Even if you broke up three years ago.

Of course I’m sad. Of course I cried. But, for Christ’s sake, stop looking at me like I’m broken.

The closest I’ve ever come to seeing a ghost is when the woman at the post office hands me my mail, and for those five minutes or so, the world stops turning. Beacuse the envelope I’m holding in my hand has your handwriting all over it.

Have you ever forgotten to breathe?

Tears prick the corners of my eyes as I tear the envelope open.

Inside is a note I couldn’t bring myself to read for months. And a map, with an X made with red sharpie.

And I can’t help but wonder why you decided to send this map to me, of all people. The one who broke your heart. Or maybe it was worse than that.

But either way, two weeks later I’m driving west in your truck, trying to remember why we ever broke up in the first place.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. How to Be Broken

    wytherwings' Buddy Icon wytherwings

    Posted 8 months ago

    wow crazy… plz write more soon!!

  2. How to Be Broken

    Sailor Emo's Buddy Icon Sailor Emo

    Posted 8 months ago

    X * [[[[[[[[[ ]]]]]]]]]] sad!
    More

  3. How to Be Broken

    artistsrunwild's Buddy Icon artistsrunwild

    Posted 8 months ago

    [pens&feathers] – you got me hooked!

    This is why I love backwards stories – you know whats happened already but just not why and that for me is the most important part

    Superbly crafted; your descriptions paint the scene as if I were there and I can feel her heartache almost
    I cant wait to read more!

    Thanks for entering

  4. How to Be Broken

    Metaphoric Spurs' Buddy Icon Metaphoric Spurs

    Posted 8 months ago

    Yes—why, why, why? Gotta keep reading this one!

  5. How to Be Broken

    someday_93's Buddy Icon someday_93

    Posted 8 months ago

    I love this! Keep going, please…I love it!
    Have you ever forgotten to breathe? I love that line—and yes, I have!
    LoA

  6. How to Be Broken

    emma jo_234's Buddy Icon emma jo_234

    Posted 8 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Awww. I love it. So sad and so beautiful, almost poetic, the way the words flow.

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