Whatever you do, do it up big. When you think you’ve gone overboard, do a little more.
I only have two rules:
Do it together. It’s important to me that you’re together on this every step of the way. No dividing and conquering, no passing the planning off to a professional. Thetwo of you are capable of creating magic together, and that’s exactly how I want to go out.
Make magic. I want you to auction off something together. I don’t care what it is as long as you do it as a unit.
Easy enough? Here’s the catch:
There’s some things I need you to do for me. Some places you’ll need to go, people you’ll need to meet, and things you’ll need to get.
If you’re going to throw a gala in my honor, you’ll need a more complete picture of me. You’re probably thinking what else could I have possibly hidden from you. I lived quite a life, and there are parts of my story you don’t know. I want to share them with you now.
Victor will have the details of your first task, but it’ll be up to you to find the rest along the way. I trust you’ll rise to the challenge.
Anyhoo, I guess I’m done rambling on now. This is a lot to take in, I’m sure, and I’m sorry for that. I know that I’ve had more time to process the end of my life than you have, but please don’t be sad for me. I’m ready to be with George and my family again. I’ve lived a full life with no regrets.
How many people get to say that?
Thank you for honoring an old woman with the gift of family.
Love you deeply,
Tanya
A scavenger hunt. She’s sending us on a damn scavenger hunt. That woman really left us a multitude of assignments like a professor going on sabbatical. I’m half expecting Mr. Townsend to pop up with a Blackboardlogin page next. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tanya told him to grade our performances when this is over.
Micah laughs. It starts off like a slow rumble, gradually becoming a full guffaw. “I was worried that she might’ve lost her light at the end, but this is so fucking Tanya. I’m glad.”
I take him in before turning to see Mr. Townsend with a restrained smile on his face.
He’s right. This illness stole everything from her, but she held on to her fire until the very end.
I cling to that shred of relief with everything in me.
Micah and Mr. Townsend talk more about formalities, but I have nothing left to contribute. I reread the letter three more times before we finally bring this meeting to an end.
I practically run out of the office before I remember I have to wait for Micah or else be the biggest bitch for leaving him stranded.
He strolls out of the office, hands in his pockets, and stands by my side. “She clocked you,” he says.
“What?”
“She said you were probably taking your anger out on the lawyer. She was right.”
“And she said you were probably trying to create a time machine to go back and save her. So what?”
He sucks his teeth. “She ain’t say nothing about no time machine.”
“Might as well. Look, I don’t know about you, but I need a minute to process this, so are you ready to go?”
He hangs his head. “You okay to drive?”
“I’m fine.” As always.
“Then I don’t need a ride.” He holds my keys out for me to take.
I balk in his direction. “What about your car?”
