The Unrequited Pen Pals
‘Love Letters Through Time’ challenge - I choose late 70s to early 80s
This is a historcial fiction that have been set on late seventies to early eighties. This will show you that could happen in real life sometimes. It is about when the two unique pen pals were quite complex by written letters by one to another of every week until the tragic has happened. It may not be a true love story or ‘happily ever after’, it’s even more deeper than love. This is their story…
Before 2010s or 2020s, there were no iphones, flatscreen TVs, CDs, DvDs, streaming films, email, social media, and iPads. However—In this decade, they have type writers, 8-track music cartridges, floppy dicks, computers, Atari, vinyl records, and rotary phones. In this historical fiction- It was on the Mid-Winter 1979 at the mideastern area, there was a young woman named Marian, very average looking and she’s in mid-thirties. She just had an doctor appointmen. Thst night, she just got an unknown letter. She opened it, she almost suspicious but curious—it appears that it was a pen pal-
dear Marian,
How are you doing? This is Robin. I‘m sure you may not remember me. I know we met each other at the school play. It’s been a couple months and a half year already. I forgot to write you a letter because I was so busy with my job as a college professor while my father is retire. I apologize for the delay. I hope you’re doing okay. When you have some time, feel free to write me back and I’ll be delighted.
yours truly,
Robin..
After Marian read the letter, she was surprised! She finally remembered him. She just went upstairs to her apartment and began to write him back As much as she could. Marian had to go to the local mailbox and then put the letter in. She hoped thst the letter will get to him right away.
Over a week later, at the nice weather in the west coast area, Robin, a young handsome man, who is also in mid-thirties, just came home from the job. He went to his mailbox , there were couple of bills and then, there was a letter— from Marian.. He had got a letter from Marian and then he began to read it—
Dear Robin,
I am so glad you remembered! It’s good to hear you again! That’s great that you’re doing an amazing job! I just got a new job recently at the library! I am doing my best to help my family and I will try my best to get reach back to you—
here’s my number in case you wanna call me sometime-
XXX-XXX-XXXX
yours truly,
Marian
Robin was very happy after he read the letter - proud to read Marian’s words and her updates. He had just got home from his work. He just went up to his room but he just had too much things to do.. He will write a letter as soon as he can.
Few days or over a week later, it has been overwhelmed. Robin has a serious busy schedule, he also got another part time job at the coffee place to support more for his family. He was just exhausted.
Back at the mid eastern area—Things went too quick for Marian, but even much deeper than Robin’s. She has began deeply depressed. Marian was lonely, even when she with her family and couple of family businesses went almost bankrupt. She has been struggling with her mental health disorders since childhood. Her personal issues had been gone even more harder. Couple days later, she just head home from her doctor’s appointment. She check the mailbox- there’s a letter. It was from Robin—
Hi Marian,
this is Robin- I apologize for the delay, please forgive me. Things have been rough especially I got another part time job at the coffee shop area. I didn’t get a chance to call you much—-it might be awhile. I am truly sorry. Please, Marian- remember to keep focus yourself as much as you can! Here’s my number if you want to call me-
XXX-XXX-XXXX
yours truly,
‘Robin.
After Marian read the letter, she seemed desperate how lonely she is after desl with her personal life. She went to her apartment and call Robin as quickly as she can. She sailed the number. The phone rang. Waiting… waiting.. dialing.. Maybe he’s busy she thought. She though she can write a letter to him instead. Then, the phone rang. She reached the phone, it was Robin. They have been chat for an hour or two hours, they laugh, they cry, and they shared their journeys, their work, and so on… Marian felt happy. She is got a shower, brushed her teeth, and ready for bed.
on the next day, it was a perfect time for Robin and Marian for chatting on the phone again. They were happy. They seemed happy.
A week later- At the west coast area, Robin just got home. He had a workout morning. He had a day off. He was rested until couple hours. When he grabbed some water, he went outside and checked the mailbox. He got a letter— it’s from Marian—
Hi Robin-
This is Marian again. Thank you so much again for calling me and have some time to chat with me. It makes my day happier. I may have gone through serious issues from my family and other personal things. I am still struggling with my mental health for years- things have been hard lately. I hope you’re out mad. It’s been complicated. But, I’m still seeing my doctor and therapist every week and still taking much coping skills as I pleased just like you told me- focus yourself first. I will do my best!
i love you..
yours truly,
‘Marian
Robin was really concerned about her. He hoped that she’s okay. Robin maybe feel nervous about ‘I love you’…
A week later, Marian wanted to call Robin and curious what he was doing.. nothing.. Marian was worried after she shared ’I love you’ to him was too much. She‘s feeling hurt. She has to twlk to her therapist about it.
‘Two months later, things have been gone more heartbreaking… Robin had been worked so hard as a professor after his father retirement. Things are very brighter for him. It also appeared thst he‘s already dating a different girl from his coffee place since then. When he got a letter from the mailbox, it wasn’t from Marian— but her parents-
‘Robin,
‘this is Marian’s parents. We might thought we can share you this.. Marian will not be here anymore. She died… We can not tell you why but because she had some rough times for her mental health. Things had gone too much for her- she did tried to get some help, unfortunately things are getting overwhelmed and nothing will help her. I hope you can understand that. She apperciated how you supported her.
Take care..
Robin was shocked, confused, and heartbroken. Marian had died by suicide due from the lost battle of mental disorder she had.. In other words, Marian feared and also felt insecure if Robin will judge her because she’s struggling the whole time. Robin could’ve asked her or checked in on her of Marian was okay or not really in the first place. The silence turned them down completely.. And this is why love can be too much for anyone and anytime…
About the Creator
Meghan LeVaughn
I'm Meghan. I’m 36. I always love to be creative and using my imagination since I was a little girl. I like stories & love to share my inspirations, journeys, etc.
https://ko-fi.com/meghansdreamdesigns
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Comments (3)
Creatively written!!! It's a beautiful love story with a heartwrenching ending!!!
This hit like a punch to the heart — raw, real, and painfully beautiful. The slow build of their connection, the distance, the missed moments — it’s so human. Sometimes, love doesn’t come with a fairytale ending — and you showed that with so much grace and depth.✨ PS: This would absolutely wreck me as a short film.
Such great love letters! Glad he wrote to Robin! Also, If you want to put a phone number instead of XXX-XXX-XXXX, start the number with 555. Like 555-255-5345. 555 numbers are all fake, so nobody will actually be called ♥️ great story!