It had been almost a week now and Violet still hadn’t fully adjusted to her new circumstances. Well, her old circumstances, if she was being accurate. Plenty of things didn’t feel quite right after returning home. Eating meals alone, not having someone to talk with while she walked, and sleeping alone at night. It turned out it wasn’t simply the unique discomforts of the train that had prevented her from getting good rest in the days following her departure. On some level, Violet knew it wouldn’t get better, but she’d reserved her judgment until she was back in her bed. She just couldn’t get comfortable, like something was out of place or missing that no amount of tossing, turning, or additional pillows could fix. Of course, the thing that was missing was Amy. 

In the end, she made it two whole days before giving up and going back to work. She had to do something to help get her mind off missing her friend and that seemed the simplest way to go about it. Besides, it would probably do her good to be around her friends and she still hadn’t even seen Iris. The assignments given to her upon her return had been fairly straightforward. If she had to guess, Cattleya must be trying to ease her back into the swing of things after being gone so long. For all her posturing and teasing, she could be just as concerned for Violet’s wellbeing as President Hodgins. Which never went unappreciated. In the end, it didn’t really matter. Large or small, the jobs given to Violet allowed her to try and get back to a sense of normalcy. If such a thing was even possible.  

This particular morning, Violet stopped by a cafe to get breakfast and then proceeded on to C.H. Postal Company to begin her day just like any other. When she arrived, she was assigned a client and immediately got to work. The customer was a kind, older woman who was interested in sending a letter to her grandson for his birthday. Another simple, yet touching, job that took no time at all. Right before lunch though, Benedict suddenly appeared in the Doll’s workspace, a letter in one of his hands.

“What do you want?”

Violet could hear Iris ask before lifting her head from the table and the typewriter she was busy cleaning.

“Oh, don’t give me that. I’m here for work,” he replied a moment later.

“Right, work…”

“Yeah, work! Now, where’s Violet?”

Hearing her name caused Violet to rise from her seat and pop her head above the partition a moment later. Her eyes went to Benedict’s first but she couldn’t help but notice the envelope he held. Which drew her focus like a moth to a flame.

“Yes?” She asked. Was that…for her? Her heart started beating faster in anticipation and she tried not to get her hopes up too much. Even if she was about to receive mail, it may not be from Amy. Then again, who else would send her something?

“Yeah, it came for you this morning,” Benedict said before raising the letter higher and walking toward the cubicle she was currently in. Once he came to a stop, one of Violet’s gloved hands hastily came up and took it from him before immediately turning it over to see who had sent it.  

The Isabella York written on the back of the envelope confirmed her hope and a wide smile settled on her lips before she remembered Benedict was still there. She looked up then and nodded before bringing her hand down on her side of the divider.

“Thank you, Benedict.”

It was all Violet cared to say and she didn’t even bother waiting for a reply before turning and walking back to the table in the middle of the little space.

“You’re welcome…” Taking the hint, Benedict turned and made his way back over to Iris before Violet heard more bickering come from their direction. However, she didn’t even focus hard enough on whatever was being said to form the words in her mind. After she sat, she turned the letter over and ran a thumb across the front, right over where her name was written.

Miss Violet Evergarden

Seeing her name written there filled her heart with a pleasant warmth and she quickly flipped it again and worked a finger underneath the lip of the sealed envelope. She didn’t have a letter opener within reach and couldn’t be bothered to stop and go find one now.

Once it was open, Violet retrieved the single sheet of paper from inside and then unfolded it gently to ensure she didn’t tear it. She was so used to seeing typed letters that she was somewhat surprised to find Amy’s handwriting instead. It lacked that certain feminine grace Violet came to expect from young women their age. Especially those with a more affluent background. Honestly, it reminded Violet of her own. A little more rugged overall but with its own charm. Not that it mattered. She’d taken the time to sit down and write to Violet without a typewriter to speed it along and that fact alone made it all the more special.

Dear Violet, I hope this finds you well and…quickly. You may not have been expecting a letter so soon but I hope it’s a pleasant surprise. In fact, I’m actually writing this later in the evening after you left. Maybe that’s silly but it’s the only thing I can think to do. I keep looking around our room, hoping my eyes will find you doing chores or emerging from the bathroom. I should probably be getting ready for bed instead but you know me. 

I guess I don’t have too much to say yet. Only that I miss you. I miss you so much already and I fear that it will only grow with each passing day. I don’t mean to make you feel guilty or anything, I just wanted you to know. Of course, I’m curious…do you miss me too? Anyway, I’m sure your friends are happy to have you home and you’ve probably already settled back into work. I don’t imagine you staying idle long. 

Remember, you promised to write me!

Your dearest friend,

Isabella

At first, Violet’s smile grew all the way up until a short chuckle erupted. However, by the end, it had faded to something more reserved as the wound of leaving her friend was opened anew. She knew that wasn’t Amy’s intention, only a side effect. And Violet was all too happy to bear it if that meant receiving more letters. Naturally, she read it a second time right away and, when she finished, she held the paper against her chest for a few moments before closing her eyes.

She could see Amy in her mind, hunched over the little table, scribbling away on a piece of paper by candlelight. How many drafts had she written before getting one she was satisfied with? Violet didn’t see any mistakes or scratch marks but there was one section of the paper that had been deformed slightly. It was odd but it reminded her she would have to figure out a proper place to store these when she returned to her room later. This was special and she wouldn’t accept having them damaged in some kind of accident.

After a few moments, she dropped the paper to the desk and her eyes came up to find Cattleya entering the cubicle area.  She took a few steps and then dropped her gaze to the table as she came to a stop. “I heard you got a letter? Who is it from?” She asked.

Violet nodded in reply and then stole one more glance at the paper before looking up and answering. “I did and it’s from Miss York.”

Cattleya seemed surprised to hear this and chuckled slightly before shaking her head. “Well, that was fast. Did she write you the day she left or something?” She may have intended it as a joke, considering her demeanor and the tone of her voice, but Violet once again nodded earnestly.

“Yes, it appears she did.”

“What? Really? That’s…you weren’t joking when you said you two became close. Of course, that wasn’t exactly hard to guess.” Following the observation, Cattleya turned and waved a hand as she started to talk. “Well, don’t let me interrupt. It’s pretty so today so feel free to write back.”

“I will, thank you.”

Violet watched the other woman go and then her eyes quickly sought out her typewriter. That’s right, she had to write back, didn’t she? She’d never done that before. The letter she’d received from the other dolls had been answered in person, after all. But she had promised. That wasn’t the reason, of course. She wanted to write back and had been thinking about it nearly since departing school.

There was a kind of nervous excitement bubbling up from inside her as she brought the machine closer. It was wonderful to be able to finally have someone to exchange letters with but what if they weren’t well received? Which, was a silly thing to worry about. Violet’s letters were always well received and Amy would probably be happy to get anything. Still, the feeling persisted as she checked over the typewriter and inserted a fresh piece of paper. And, even though it was all set up, Violet found her fingers tapping the table instead of any keys. 

After a few moments of uncertainty, she finally closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths. What did she say? Her mind ran through Amy’s letter again, rolling the substance of it around in her mind. There were the obvious questions to answer but that wasn’t the heart of it. Amy had been sitting in her room, imagining all the things they used to do in their daily routine but also the things they did because they were friends. That’s what she needed right now, a friend.

Violet opened her eyes and nodded before removing her gloves and settling them on the table. A moment later she began typing. Slowly at first, but the rhythm steadily increased as the words flowed from deep inside her. It only took a few minutes for her to have a first draft and, when it was complete, Violet retrieved it from the machine before standing. She took time to read over it carefully, looking for anything she might change or add.

When those were reconciled in her mind, she once again sat in her chair, loaded a new sheet, and went again. This time she was pleased with the copy and a small smile formed on her lips now that she held the final draft in her hands. Her first reply and it couldn’t be going to a better person. Now that it was ready, Violet took the time to fold the paper neatly before standing and making her way out of the room. As she passed where Cattleya sat, she offered a polite wave and then disappeared through the door.

She made her way downstairs then and sought out one of the various postmasters so she could get an envelope and prepare the letter to be sent. Once she was finished, and handed it over to the man for processing, Violet stood still and tracked it with her eyes as it was handled, marked, and placed with the rest of the outbound mail. She couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take to reach the school. Most likely a couple of days, if she had to guess based on Amy’s letter. Her only regret is that she wouldn’t be there to see her friend open it. No doubt she would smile, a smile that Violet missed terribly.

“Was there something else I could help you with, Miss Evergarden?” The postmaster asked after a few moments of silence.

Violet roused from her thoughts and ultimately shook her head. “No, thank you again.”

Now she would need to head back upstairs and find something else to occupy her mind while she waited for a reply to come. Which was going to be even harder now.