Happy New Year, Cathleen.
The streets of Old Athen were looking festive as usual this time of year. The atmosphere buzzing with end of year activities; people in colorful outfits hurrying through doing their business, whatever it may be. Groups of children running around, playing with their new toys laughing happily. Couples walking hand in hand across the hill, stopping briefly by the beautiful tree, talking quietly about the year that passed, and the new year that is right around the corner. About hopes and dreams.
Cathleen walked slowly, but with determination towards the mailbox. There was a mail waiting for her there. She couldn’t help it, but she was a little worried about the possible contents of that mail. She’d lost count of how many times she’d been walking to this mailbox in hopes of getting a mail from him; to hear that he was okay, that he was coming home soon. Nothing. Nothing from him since he’d left for the monastery training facility. Not even a little “I miss you” or an “I’m okay”. Nothing. The stack of returned, unopened letters in her desk drawer at home was not helping either.
She took a deep breath before opening the mailbox, taking out the single letter addressed to her. The address was handwritten, the paper of very high quality. A surprised smile spread on Cathleen’s face when she noticed the sender. That was not what she had expected at all. He was supposed to be away, busy with work for a just few weeks. She cast a glance at the beautiful Christmas tree on the hill, smiling softly, before heading home to her empty apartment, the letter firmly in her hand. This season just got a little less lonely, again. It would be a happy New Year, she was suddenly sure of it.