Written Release

by Jasper Stone

She received the letter from jail that let her know their relationship was over. It wasn’t a clichéd “Dear John” apology dripping with shameless excuses. Instead, tucked into a sloppily written paragraph were the simple words, “I got white pride tattooed on my right hand and your name on the other.” After the brief nausea and disbelief wore off, she folded the letter, and placed it back into the envelope where it still rests. She felt a sense of relief for having a reason to let go completely without further explanation. It’s been years, but the thought that those words are imprinted into skin and can be placed hand in hand still manage to sink her stomach.

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Jasper Stone writes fiction, poetry, and non-fiction.