The Notice Period · Letter 17 · 1 Min Read

Dear Friend Who Says It’s Complicated

Delivered Thursday 29 October 2026.

Johannesburg
30 October 2026

Dear Friend Who Says It’s Complicated,

We have seen the screenshots. We have heard the voice notes. We know their childhood in more detail than our own. We have enough material for a documentary, yet every episode ends with you going back.

You say “it is complicated”. We agree it is difficult to explain why someone who will not book a table for two has become the person you are planning your life around.

Last Friday you said you were done. On Saturday you posted their elbow at brunch. We recognised it. We have been studying this relationship longer than either of you.

We love you. We will help you leave when you are ready. Until then, please stop saying “you will never guess who messaged”. We can. We always can.

With love, and an unfortunately excellent memory,

Dear John

dearjohn.co.zaLetter 17

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P.S.

The Breakup Menu. They decide when they are ready. You can have the link ready.

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Letter 15 · 28 October 2026

Dear Voice Note

You arrived at seven minutes and forty seconds, opening with “quick one” and the sound of someone reversing out of a driveway.

Letter 16 · 29 October 2026

Dear “We Should Do Lunch”

You sound like a plan until someone asks for a date.

Letter 18 · 31 October 2026

Dear Ghosting

Tonight, people will dress up as ghosts. Tomorrow, most of them will have the decency to stop.

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Dear John | Ex Press

Some things are better ended in writing.

The only ex that texts back, and only when it has something worth saying: a new service, an offer or a piece of merch worth being seen in.

Consider it the one relationship in your inbox that comes with absolutely no expectations.