Ten-Year Plan

The Glass Menagerie characters, for school.

 

Dear Jim,

            Perhaps you remember me from ten years ago, when my brother Tom invited you to dinner. I must admit that night never turned out quite like I expected it to, nor like my mother expected either, I daresay. I know that we have not spoken since that day, but I am sending this letter to thank you. The last night we spoke, you told me many things that I have thought about many times since you had left. Although it took a while to completely sink in, I have come to the realization that you were correct about everything. I had always lived under the shadow of my disability, making it much more crippling than it actually is. Perhaps it was living under my mother’s roof that made me so shy, for she would tell us stories of her charm that made me despair that I would never have such a life, or maybe it was my forsaking of any hope that I would ever live up to her expectations, but whatever it was, you were right. I am proud to say that I have strived to reach out to others, starting by speaking to strangers in the road while I walked down to the park. Although I must admit that I have never quite gotten as good at speaking to others as you are, I am improving, I daresay.

            My mother passed away last month. I do believe she never quite forgave me for not turning out the way she expected, but I have found lately that I do not care. I have not spoken to Tom since the night of the dinner, for he left the house then and never returned. I feel in my heart, however, that he is doing well, wherever he is. I hope that he continued writing poetry; he always loved to express his emotions in that way. Perhaps he has wooed some pretty girl with his words. I dearly hope so, anyway. As for me, I have not married, but I did finally work up the courage to return to business school. I am proud to say that I lasted more than a few days this time, and graduated a few years ago. I now make enough money to support myself in the home that my mother left me.

            I saw the newspaper announcing your engagement to Betty a few days after our dinner, and I hope that you have found happiness in your life with her, although I am sure that you have.

                        Sincerely,

Laura Wingfield

Reviews

[Erin Sky]

bravo! bravo! I always wanted Laura to have a happy ending, thankies