A Way to Speak

10/20/2025

Dear Toby,

I know you won’t like what I’m about to say, but I need to say it anyway.

I’m SORRY. I am truly, painfully sorry. I should not even apologize to you, because I know that I’ll probably do it again, but I just feel so guilty for what I did.

Every time I think about it, I just get so full of regret.

Haha (not really). You’ll probably be thinking, “Then why’d you do it?”

I don’t know. It’s just that I couldn’t control myself.

Anyway… please write back.

Love -

11/8/2025

Candace,

What are you sorry for?

Talk Soon -

11/12/2025

Dear Toby,

Wow! That was short. How come you don’t know what I did?

I’m guessing you do know what I am talking about since it took you a while to respond. Or maybe you were just mad at me. Although I am glad that you responded because I was afraid that I would never hear from you again.

Well, I just want to say I am sorry again, since you are not going to like what I did. Wait, first tell me, do you really don’t know?

I thought I saw you at the market that day.

P.S. I am really sorry.

Love -

11/30/2025

Candace,

I’m sorry for another late reply. (Lol). Really, I don’t know what you are sorry for. What market? Elaborate.

Talk Soon -

12/04/2025

Dear Toby,

Really? I for sure thought that you were at the market that day.

...

I feel like you are lying to me, Toby, because that day you came to me. Remember? You said you were heading to Fleece N’ Niece to get that new jacket they were having on sale and since it got so much attention, you wanted to get in on the action?

I am not going crazy here, right?

Love -

12/25/2025

Candace,

Yeah, I headed to the store. Still, I didn't see you there. Can you just spill it?

Talk Soon -

12/30/2025

Dear Toby,

I didn’t get to say Merry Christmas! Sorry about that. Since I won’t get to talk to you in time, I’ll say Happy New Years in Advance.

And yeah, I did not head to the direct store, but I was in the market. Come one, I even said hi when you were at the hot dog cart getting a chili dog. Don’t you remember that?

....

Okay, maybe I didn’t say hi, but I saw you there and I was about to, but then I saw Felice come in the line and I lingered back. Then I got distracted by the dog that came to me in full force.

(It was pretty scary).

Still, I feel like you're hiding about this. I mean, your letters are short. They are only short when you're mad. I’m sorry, Toby.

Love -

1/30/2026

Candace,

You said it yourself. I did not see you. I am not writing short, I just got nothing to say until you start speaking.

Talk Soon-

2/4/2026

Dear Toby,

I’m not trying to be rude, but you could try to write sooner. Why say talk soon when it takes forever.

(Sigh). Okay, I’m sorry for that but I am getting a little bit impatient here, I need to know if you will come on good terms with me again.

I can’t tell you anything until you tell me the truth. I know you know.

Love -

2/17/2026

Candace,

I just got a lot on my plate right now. If you’re impatient then just tell me what happened.

Talk Soon-

2/20/2026

Dear Toby,

Maybe we can forget anything that happened then, since you don’t know and I really don’t want to tell you. I just know that you will hate me for it.

Love-

2/22/2026

Dear Toby,

Actually, you know maybe we shouldn’t forget about it. It should be said because then I’ll continue feeling guilty. These past few weeks have been horrible; it’s like my mind has a mind of its own and it won’t stop replaying my stupid decision.

I do have another clue that you know though, I just remember that you always give me flowers on Valentines Day. You leave a little clue so as not to give away who sent them. I didn’t receive anything from you; hence you are mad.

To be honest, I do not know how I did not realize that until now, but you know Toby, it would be kind if you could forgive me. I will try not to do it again. Ever.

Love –

2/29/2026

Candace,

I do not know about flowers. It makes me sneeze, remember? And about forgetting, you give me no choice if you don’t tell me the issue.

Talk Soon-

3/6/2026

Dear Toby,

I am getting scared here Toby. I mean I feel like you’re lying but at the same time, I want to believe you.

If you do not send me flowers, then I don’t know who does. The only other guy I know is Matthew, and he is currently in Australia.

….

Okay, well I know other guys but not any who would like to send me flowers.

I don’t even like flowers myself, but I appreciated the gesture.

You are not going to win this one, Toby. You know what I did. All I ask is if you can forgive me before I ever tell you.

Love –

3/18/2026

Candace,

You sure have a mystery at hand. I am not winning anything really, since I do not know what you did. Please tell me.

Talk Soon-

3/22/2026

Dear Toby,

My birthday was yesterday. I made sure to invite almost everyone I knew. Once again, it’s not really many people.

Anyways, I invited Stacy, Lindani, Casler, Peggy, even the annoying Thomas Matterson.

He gets on my nerves with his ‘rock’ collection.

None came. Not even you, and you always come.

There hasn’t been a party you haven’t attended with your stupid birthday costume that you wear, and you shake off all the glitter on my cake.

I’m sorry if the paper’s stained, I guess you’ll know why.

You definitely know Toby, and it’s fine if you don’t forgive me, I am not going to forgive myself either.

I guess this is the end then, I’ll stop bothering you Toby, but I really am sorry and I hope you know that I have always treasured you in my heart.

Goodbye Forever-

4/4/2026

Candace,

Didn’t take you for a quitter.

You really know how to break a man’s heart though; guess that’s why I’m currently in your home eating your cookies you made a few minutes ago.

Why am I writing this again instead of just talking to you?

No clue.

Oh- and don’t buy the leather jacket I want again, or I’ll stop talking to you for a year.

Also…

We literally live next door.

Next time, just knock.

Love you, Candace.