“Why is there so much money in my account, young lady!” she demanded.
“Oh…” I laughed. “Is that what this is about? You scared me!” I accused.
“W-What do you mean ‘is that what this is about’?! There are millions of dollars in my bank account!”
“Yes, it looks like my investments paid off!” The pride in my voice was undeniable.
Her tone softened at my obvious excitement.
“I’m very confused but you sound so happy that I don’t even care anymore how this happened.”
“It’s all very legitimate and legal. I made some lucky choices is all.” I assured her.
“I don’t think it was luck, young lady. I think it’s because you’re brilliant and chose your investments very carefully.” Despite the words being praise, it sounded like I was being scolded.
I slowly opened the final letter, which was dated only a month before she had passed.
She must’ve known how close she was to the end.
My darling Melanie,
If you are reading this, the cancer finally won. I know you will be upset with me for not having told you in advance, but once I knew that there was nothing else the doctors could do, I wanted to spend the rest of my days living life my way, not dragged to doctors, or watch my loved ones worry about me and pray for miracles that the lord couldn’t give out. On the list of things you have to be mad at me for, this one wasn’t my worst sin.
I want you to know that I love you. More than you could possibly know. Felicity was my ONE reason for many years, but then came you and Kyle… and you both were my redemption. My chance to do better—my reward. I loved watching you both grow into spectacular humans. I loved watching my Felicity bloom as your mother—watching her reach her full potential and watching her truly live a life full of love.
The idea of causing you any pain guts me in a way that is not describable. My darling girl, I regret that my last months on this earth turned me into a coward. I regret that more than I can say. I want you to know that even at my most selfish, at my most cowardly… I have ALWAYS loved you. I have alwaysseen your worth, I have always believed in YOU. I wish nothing but the best for you, each and every single day, and although I won’t be here with you for the next chapters, I will be watching and praying that they are full of everything you deserve: light, love, and joy.
I hope you are able to forgive me for every cowardly, selfish choice that has ever hurt you. Never forget how loved you are. Never forget how strong you are. Never forget WHO you are. Cause my girl, you are fucking perfect.
With ALL my love. Forever.
Grama Barb
28-Angela
When the phone rang, I hadn’t checked the name before I answered. I had simply woken up from another late night, with another hangover, rolled away from the most recent mistake, and clicked the green button.
“Hello.” I grumbled.
“Angela…” he said my name in his gruff voice, but tinged with relief.
“Ben?” I sat up and slapped a hand over my mouth to stifle the bile that flooded my throat.
“Where are you staying?” He demanded.
“Uh… I’m… What?” I stuttered. I quickly muted the phone and slapped my bedmate. “GET UP! You’ve gotta go. RIGHT NOW.” I hissed.
“Where are you staying.” He repeated, his tone had rapidly changed from relieved to frustrated.
“I’m in a little motel in some bumfuck town in Connecticut,” I responded and hurried into the bathroom with a final point at the door for the confused-looking man in my bed.
“Are you intentionally being stupid?” he snarled. “Give me an address, Angela.”
“W-what?” I was shocked by the venom in his voice, but quickly blurted out the name of the motel and the address.
“I’ll be there in an hour.” His tone left no room for discussion, and he ended the call without waiting for a reply.
An hour?! He flew here to surprise me?!
