CHAPTER 19: THE FINAL LETTER
Five years after my mother's second arrest, I received a letter from her.
She was still in prison. She had written to me before, but I had never replied.
This time, I opened it.
Evelyn,
I know you have no reason to believe me. But I'm sorry.
I've spent the last five years in here, thinking about everything. About the choices I made. About the people I hurt. About you.
I was wrong. About everything.
I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. I don't even expect it.
But I wanted you to know that I'm trying to be better. I'm working in the prison library. I'm taking classes. I'm reading books about psychology and healing and family.
I know I can't undo what I did. But I can be better going forward.
I'm proud of you, Evelyn. You became the person I never could. And I'm sorry I couldn't see that before.
Love,
Mom
I read the letter three times.
Then I folded it and put it in a drawer.
I didn't write back.
But I didn't throw it away either.
May you like
Because maybe, someday, I would be ready.
But not today.
