It was a fairly common sort of problem, which was a sad comment on society.

Blackwhite07, my referred client, had written two days later. His marriage was failing after just under two years and he was unhappy all the time. Counselling hadn’t helped, and things were just on downward tilt that seemed to never end.

Dear blackwhite07,

I hope you can believe me when I say that I am sorry to read your letter. It sucks. It really does.

From the sounds of things you’ve tried everything you can think of, and are at the end of your rope. Being unhappy in your life is exhausting, because everything becomes a chore. The concept of being happy is so alien that you don’t even expect it anymore. Am I right?

Now, I’m not an advocate for divorce or marriage, respectively every situation has its own resolution, so I’m not going to tell you to leave her or get your shit together and fix things. To be honest, it sounds like, from the tone of your email, you’re looking for someone to validate how you feel. You’re tired, you’re sad, and you’re tired of being sad.

I am a firm believer that everyone on this planet deserves to be happy. Everyone. And sometimes in life, you take the course that ensures your happiness. And I mean the kind of happiness that’s long term, not an instant gratification. It’s selfish, but there is healthy selfishness and unhealthy selfishness. Either way, you are allowed to be selfish. Everyone is, as long as they are happy to deal with the consequences.

I guess what I’m saying is you need to choose whichever outcome you are ok with dealing with. There will be repercussions either way, but you should choose the one which ensures your own true happiness. Where that means more counselling, or time apart, or divorce or writing stupid love letters to each other until your hands cramps.

I hope this helps you, write back when/if you need to.

Love and light

Oprah D

I paused for a moment after clicking send. It seemed like most marriages weren’t what the participants thought they would be. If I have learned anything from years of listening to any break up stories, it’s that people expected too much. Or rather, they expected the unrealistic. Humans can only do so much you know?

Besides, love is love. It doesn’t have conditions. Otherwise, what’s the point?

-8-

I wasn’t too surprised not to hear from him again. A lot of people don’t respond after that first message. I don’t really mind anymore, I still get paid up front.

Still, it was a surprise when I heard from him a few months later.

I was up late again. And indulging myself with a glass of wine, which had, somewhere along the line, morphed into a bottle of wine.

Some people might say it’s sad to drink alone. However, I had three glasses in me and I wasn’t even a little sad when I got the email.

Hi Oprah D

I realised today I never replied to your email. Just thought I would let you know things didn’t work out too great. The paperwork went through yesterday.

But your words were good. I needed to hear them, so thanks.

Regards

Blackwhite07

Under normal circumstances, I would have left it at that. But I was feeling kind of buzzed, in a happy warm way, Ada was sleeping over at her best friend’s house for the night, and Bing Crosby was telling the world not to fence him over the speakers. I rolled the wine glass against my cheek a few times while looking at the email before responding.

Dear Blackwhite07,

I am appreciative of your apology and sorry to hear that. Only because you sound sad though. If you sounded happy, I would be happy.

You ok?

Sincerely

Oprah D

I was paging randomly through Tumblr when I got a ping announcing a reply.

Dear Oprah D,

Well, I guess I’m happier than I was before. Still sad though. Feel like a failure, and she likes to rub it in.

so I guess I’m not ok, but maybe I’ll be ok at some point?

Regards

Blackwhite07

I typed a quick reply, careful to use spellcheck before sending. My movements were a little exaggerated since I was trying to not be drunk while actually being drunk.

Dear Blackwhite 07

Unless you die within the next twenty four hours, you will be ok at some point. Life goes on, hearts heal. It can be hard to lose someone you love or loved.

And it’s ok to be sad about it. And you didn’t fail, you’re just human. It will pass, you will move on and find someone new to kiss who doesn’t spend all your money on cheap leopard print bras.

Sincerely

Oprah D

A few minutes later;

Oprah D

I don’t know if I’m broken-hearted, since to be honest, I don’t know if I actually loved her, really. I don’t know. Hindsight etc.…

How did you know about the leopard print bras? Lol, jk.

Thanks for telling me it’s ok to be sad.

I’ll go a drown my sorrows with some whiskey.

Sincerely

Balckwhite07

Some small voice in the back of my mind was telling me that, after four glasses of wine, I should really stop typing, but there was a much louder, wine-soaked voice that said ‘fuck you, I’m a grown up and you’re not the boss of me.’

Dear blackwhite07

Whiskey? Yucky yuck yuck. Have some wine and join me instead.

Oprah D

Ping.

Oprah D

Well that explains the cheerful tone of your writing :) drowning your sorrows like me?

Blackwhite07

Ping

Dear Blackwhite o7 (can we just change that to BW07? Typing your whole name is waaaay too long)

I have no sorrows to drown. Just enjoying a rare night alone in my apartment. Besides, doesn’t wine help you lose weight or something? Anyway, it’s good, I’m good, don’t need to be sad to drink.

No jugdy.

#justsaying

Oprah D

Ping

Oprah D

I think I just laughed aloud for the first time in nearly two weeks. Thanks for that.

I was not judgy. You were the one who told me we deserve happiness right?

Alone at home? Not usually alone?

BW07

I smirked at the quick switch to the nickname I had suggested. And typed back a quick reply. My eyes were getting droopy and the screen swayed.

Dearest BW07

Nope, usually my daughter is around but she’s off painting her nails or something with her bestie. So I get to be irresponsible.

And now, I’m afraid I have to sign off. Ill reread these in the morning and regret it. Totes not professional. But the wine is finished and my bed is calling.

Again, sorry about your divorce. But I’ve heard it gets better, since life isn’t over, you know.

Sincerely

Oprah D

I got up to put my glass in the sink and the bottle in the trash, and only just stopped myself from doing it the other way around. Maybe a little drunker than I thought. Oh well.

I was halted by a ping from the laptop. Scanning quickly, I saw one last reply.

Oprah D

Sleep well, hope you don’t have a hangover.

Thanks for the laugh

BW07.

I closed the laptop and sighed, swaying happily to my bed.