Clever Magazine,Summer '05 " The Mail " (www.clevermag.com)

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The Mail

by Lynn Groves

After retiring from banking after 25 years of service, I worked as an office manager for a private investigation firm for another 7 years until I finally retired completely. During that time, I wrote many short stories, several of which were published in various e-magazines, such as Sonata Magazine for the Arts and EWG, as well as Late Harvest books published by the SeniorNet Writers Group. I am currently working on a mystery novel I hope to complete in the near future.

Beth sat at the kitchen table staring morosely at the unopened envelope in front of her, arms folded across her chest. She heard a car pull to a stop in the driveway, but she did not look up with her usual anticipation. The car door slammed, and she was aware of David’s footsteps on the porch as he opened the door and came into the kitchen. She continued to stare at the envelope, unable to take her eyes off of it.

“What’s up, Babe?” David stood behind her and leaned down to peck her cheek. “What’s that you’re staring at?” He reached across her shoulder and picked up the envelope, Beth’s eyes following its trajectory as it moved through the air. David recognized the envelope immediately and began to laugh.

“It’s not funny, damn it, David!” Beth twisted around in her chair and glared at her husband, tears welling up in her eyes. “Stop laughing at me.”

“Ah, honey, I’m sorry.” He squatted in front of her until their eyes were level. “I’m sorry I laughed. I’m sure this came as a shock to you, but it shouldn’t have. You should have been expecting it. After all, it happens to all of us eventually." He held up the envelope. "Looks just like the one I received three years ago.”

Beth reached out and put her arms around David's neck, leaning her forehead against his as a tear crept down her cheek. “I know,” she said in a half whisper, “but I just hate to face it.” Suddenly she began to laugh, her sense of humor getting the best of her. “Well, hell’s bells,” she said as she pulled back from David. “Let’s open the damn thing and get it over with.”

She reached for the envelope and began tearing it open as David took a seat at the table. “Careful, honey. You’ve got to carry that with you from now on.”

Beth’s bottom lip began to quiver as she laid the contents on the table. “I guess this makes it official now,” she sighed as together they inspected her brand new Medicare card.