Chapter 15 - THE LETTER IS OPENED AGAINNoah was nine when he asked to read his father’s letter.
Not all.
He knew it existed.
Rebecca had quoted pieces.
One Sunday he saw envelope in fireproof box.
“Is that Dad letter?”
“Yes.”
“Can I read?”
Rebecca sat.
“Some parts are grown-up.”
“Like bad words?”
“Some.”
“I know bad words.”
“I know.”
“Then?”
“Some parts are about marriage.”
“Gross.”
Rebecca laughed.
“Exactly.”
She consulted Noah’s therapist, Foster, and her own judgment.
They chose selected passages.
No ceremony.
Kitchen table.
Aaron took Lucy out so Noah had space.
Foster came because Caleb addressed him too.
Rebecca opened pages.
Noah touched handwriting.
“Dad wrote?”
“Yes.”
“He had bad writing.”
“Yes.”
She read:
Noah, if you are old enough to hear this, I love you. I loved being your dad more than anything I ever did well.
Noah’s eyes filled immediately.
Rebecca continued:
I wanted to come home.
He looked up.
“You told.”
“I know.”
“Sometimes hearing from him different.”
He nodded.
Then humorous:
vegetables.
dentist.
ballet.
Noah laughed.
“Ballet?”
“He was making point.”
Then:
You don’t owe the world the life I chose.
Noah frowned.
“What mean?”
Foster said:
“It means you don’t have to be soldier because your dad was.”
“I don’t want.”
“Then don’t.”
“You not mad?”
“Why would I?”
“Dad soldier.”
“And you’re Noah.”
That was Caleb’s wish.
Rebecca read:
If he asks whether I was scared, tell him yes. Courage is being scared and still knowing what matters.
Noah looked at Foster.
“You told me.”
“Yes.”
Then Rebecca stopped before marriage details.
“More?”
“When older.”
“Why?”
“Because some things were between me and Dad.”
Noah accepted.
“Can I keep letter?”
“Eventually.”
“For now it stays safe.”
He nodded.
Then went outside because Aaron and Lucy were back with basketball.
Foster watched through window.
“He left.”
Rebecca smiled.
“Good.”
“After hearing dead father’s final words, he wants basketball.”
“Exactly.”
Caleb did not want Noah’s life orbiting death.
The letter did its job.
May you like
It did not become sacred relic holding child at table.
It gave permission to leave.
Related Stories
