Join the Second Ridge Publishing Summer 2025 Crowdwriting Challenge! A crowdwritten story unfolds - add your voice and become a published co-author with Second Ridge Publishing.
The package showed up on Ellen’s porch on the first morning of summer, wrapped in brown paper, sealed with wax, and addressed in handwriting she hadn’t seen in fifteen years. No return address. No postage. Just her name, and the familiar scent of lilacs.
Not sure if she was ready to go back down that road, Ellen walks back inside and falls into her favorite chair, holding the package close. She takes a moment to breathe in the familiar smell as the memories come rushing back. Memories she had spent the last few years running away from. A life she had left behind. Could this really be from him?
She did not want her hands to shake as she started to open the package. Frustration welled within her as the wax seal cracked, and she carefully peeled the paper away. Inside was one old photograph of them taken on Puget Sound, smiling like nothing bad had ever happened. Dried lilac and lavender spilled out into her lap. On the back of the photo, in his messy handwriting, were just two words: “Miss You”
Why now!? Why did he wait so long!? This was the effort she ask for all those years ago.
The package showed up on Ellen’s porch on the first morning of summer, wrapped in brown paper, sealed with wax, and addressed in handwriting she hadn’t seen in fifteen years. No return address. No postage. Just her name, and the familiar scent of lilacs.
Not sure if she was ready to go back down that road, Ellen walks back inside and falls into her favorite chair, holding the package close. She takes a moment to breathe in the familiar smell as the memories come rushing back. Memories she had spent the last few years running away from. A life she had left behind. Could this really be from him?
Thank you for a most excellent start @Chelsea Page! Spread the word! Let’s keep this going. 🙂
She did not want her hands to shake as she started to open the package. Frustration welled within her as the wax seal cracked, and she carefully peeled the paper away. Inside was one old photograph of them taken on Puget Sound, smiling like nothing bad had ever happened. Dried lilac and lavender spilled out into her lap. On the back of the photo, in his messy handwriting, were just two words: “Miss You”
Why now!? Why did he wait so long!? This was the effort she ask for all those years ago.
Awesome @LANDOANDLAURA1014. So appreciate your contribution!
Awesome @LauraWilliams! So appreciate your contribution!