Surat Cinta

CONTOH SURAT PRIBADI dalam bahasa inggris

 December 31, 2007

Dear Cynara,

So, the cat is out of the bag! Mother’s Day came rather late this year when my husband’s past caught up with me. I’m not sure how to deal with a stepson who’s barely a decade younger than myself.
You may recall that Namu and Colette had been frightened by a dark man who kept turning up in the oddest places. They’d tried to keep Soo Ri out of the picture after he’d confronted the man. Silly boy – he could get hurt playing the hero, trying to protect his little brother.

Mrs. Demers, who lives across the street, called once or twice to warn me that a strange car had parked near her house. She couldn’t see who the driver might be, but the Crime Watch people keep track of the neighbors’ cars. A low-slung sports car stands out against our middle class collection of mini-vans and SUV mom-mobiles. I never glimpsed the car parked nearby. Soo Ri says I need to pay more attention to my surroundings, else I’ll become a prime target for a mugger.

After today, I think he may be right.

For the last three days, I had the feeling that someone was watching me. In the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, there were a few near misses. Everyone was intent on buying their stuff and getting home without regard for anyone else. Despite the ubitiquitous muzak carols, there was little Christmas cheer in the drivers trapped in the traffic jams around the malls.

Perhaps that was when my shadow attached himself to me. Of course, Soo Ri insists that the man could have trailed me from Macy’s into the food court where I bought Cinnabons as a special treat to satisfy Namu’s sweet tooth. (Yes, I know Colette and the little goblins enjoy the sticky buns, too.)

Traffic was horrific; it stretched miles ahead and behind, so it wasn’t until I turned off Belt Line Road onto the residential streets that I noticed that a dark sports car was pacing me. It kept a discreet distance behind me, and made the same turns. Once it fell behind when I sped over a hill – then reappeared a few minutes later after the light changed. I took a quick turn around the block and glanced down the hill before I pulled into the driveway.

The car slowly pulled up and parked in front of my house.

Cyn, you have no idea the terror that twisted my stomach into knots. A chill ran from the base of my spine upwards until I sat shaking. I couldn’t take my eyes from the rear view mirror. How had he gotten here so quickly? Obviously, he knew where I lived … He knew where we lived! Terror warred with anger. How dare he frighten me and my children? Who was he – and what did he want with us? Part of me wanted to run inside and triple lock the door. But my mother’s instinct made me grip my keys between my fingers like a weapon, grab my purse and stalk inside, always aware of his eyes on me while I shut and locked the door.

Time to get ready for action. Let him come, I thought as I unlocked the gun box and took out my husband’s pistol. When we were first married, he’d drilled me on basic gun safety. At the time, I’d thought he was being overcautious and alarmist. Tonight I was glad that my fingers remembered how to load and check the gun, all the while I debated on how to deal with our unwelcome caller.

How to warn the kids? I considered whether I should call and ask you to keep them overnight. But he might have tapped our phone lines. Maybe the cell phone? Digging inside my purse, I discovered a legal-sized envelope folded in half.

How had it gotten in my purse? Who had gotten close enough to open my purse and slip something inside without my noticing? No matter – I inspected the bold black block letters that spelled out my name, address, city and state, all orderly and correct, even to the plus-four extension of the zip code. Hands shaking, I slip open the envelope and discovered a thin piece of vellum.

I must speak with you – alone.

No name, just the printed demand. I tore throuh my purse, tossing items onto the desk until my fingers closed on the cell phone. Thank the good Lord for speed dial. Believe me, my thoughts were racing too fast to recall any numbers.

One, two, three rings. I prayed that Soo Ri would answer. This couldn’t be left as a voice message. On the fourth ring, my lovely boy answered. “Yes, Mother, we’re late. I know we should have called. Practice ran a bit late, and Coach Henson wanted to talk to Namu. We’ll catch a ride with Steven’s mother.”

“There’s – there’s been a change of plan, darling. Dr. Hinotori’s asked you boys to stay for supper tonight … Colette and Namu need to finish their science fair project.”

His sigh echoed every teenager exasperated by parental concern. “Mother … it’s due after Christmas break. They have loads of time.”

“Soo Ri, do as I ask,” I snapped then caught myself. Slow down, I told myself. Don’t alarm him, or Soo Ri will rush home to see what’s wrong. Still, I couldn’t forget the warning – request? — “I must speak with you alone.” He would not hurt my boys. I would stop him. My fingers closed on the cold pistol grip.

“Mom, is something wrong? I could take Namu over to Aunt Cyn’s house and come home — “

“No, darling, nothing’s wrong. I need some time alone. I have a presentation that I need to finish before we deliver it to the suits tomorrow afternoon. Things were so chaotic at the office, I had to get away so I could see it from a new perspective. I’m sorry, darling, but it would be a help if you could look after Namu for me.”

“Of course, Mother.” The clipped, impersonal tones tore at my heart. I hated lying to my boy, but he had to stay away, stay safe, while I dealt with whoever lurked outside our home.

“Good-bye, darling. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good-bye, Mother.”

Setting the speed dial to “911,” I slipped my cell phone into my trousers pocket. The heavy jacket could conceal a firearm. The phone rang imperiously behind me. Picking up the receiver, I checked the caller I.D. “Unknown Name, Unknown Number.” My throat tightened and I squashed the nerves urging me to run.

On the fourth ring, the answering machine droned its message. When it finished, a male voice drawled, “Mrs. Foxxe, I know you’re home. It would be in everyone’s best interests if we speak before your sons return home.” The view screen went black.

I moved slowly to the front door. A tall silhouette loomed beside the sports car. Opening the inner door, I regarded him through the glass of the screen door. It’s show time, I thought and flicked on the porch light.

He moved with the slow-moving prowl of a leopard. Although his gaze never moved from mine, he seemed to observe everything around him – the distant open and shut of Mrs. Demers’ porch door, the musical run of the Longs’ wind chimes, the warning barks further down the block. Then he loomed opposite me, blocking out the porch light. “May I come in, Mrs. Foxxe?”

“Of course, Mr. — “

“Richards … Jason Richards.”

I opened the door. “Come in, Mr. Richards. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

He moved slowly into the living room. Again I had a feeling that he was memorizing every detail in the room. Gads, the man was tall! Even in heels, my head barely reached his mid-chest. Why, he probably was at least six inches taller than Soo Ri. Seating himself on the wing chair, he waited until I was seated. “I’m sorry to disturb you, “ he drawled in a tone that belied the words. “But I’ve recently learned that we have something – someone in common.”

For a moment, I couldn’t imagine what connection this handsome man could have to me or my sons. “We do?”

“I’m afraid so.” He paused, and his lips thinned as if he tasted something sour. “My – father was your husband.” Amazed, I forced my face into its best poker expression. “He’s dead, you know.”

“Yes … the police questioned me about it.” I straightened my back and peered sternly at him. “I don’t have anything more to add to my statement. He left me to attend a sales convention; he died in a bar fight in New Orleans. That’s all I know.”

“I saw the police report … I just wanted to introduce myself.” His lips curled in a slow smile. Now I know how a mouse feels when it’s trapped by a cat. Jason rose with feline grace, but I couldn’t force myself to move. “Don’t bother to get up. I can see myself out. I’ll be around. Give my regards to my little brothers, Mrs. Foxxe. Ciao …”

With that, he was out the door. By the time I could manage to move, the sports car thundered to life and rumbled to itself as he drove down the street. Red tail lights flashed once, then he gunned the engine and roared into the darkness.

Cyn, this man is a hunter, and we are his prey. Now that we’ve met face to face, I don’t think he’ll harm our children, but I don’t trust him. I have no idea what his plans might be, so beware. He’ll do everything in his power to worm his way into our confidence, and we need to be prepared. Still, let me tell the boys in my own time. After all, I don’t know how they’ll take the news that they have a new half-brother.
The holidays are almost upon us, so we can meet and make plans. Perhaps that’s why this Jason has invaded our lives. Isn’t Christmas all about family getting together?

Your puzzled friend,
Sylver