Member-only story
Dear Ben / One Year Ago
4–16–2025
Dear Ben,
One year ago, you and I attended the inaugural author event at the newly opened bookstore, The Lynx. We were the first attendees to arrive. The store was still waiting for the city’s approval email to start in-store selling. That approval was received while we wandered about. We were their first in-store customers. Our photo was taken and uploaded to their Instagram account. It was our last photo together.
That evening, I imagined us attending many future events at the store. I imagined us eating at Humble Pizza before each event, as we did on April 16, 2024.
What I didn’t imagine was that you’d be dead one month and two-and-a-half days later.
I didn’t imagine that I’d attend future events alone, usually sitting by myself, rarely having a conversation with anyone. I didn’t imagine that I’d feel lonelier in an audience of forty or more than I do at home with only our pets.
One year ago, I couldn’t imagine living without you.
One year ago, I couldn’t imagine being so unseen, so alone.
I won’t subject myself to loneliness among people anymore. I’d rather stay home with our pets and my memories. I may be alone at home, but I feel less lonely.
Missing you always . . .
© Dennett 2025
