The Letter From Prison
Chapter 18 - The Letter From Prison
Ethan received his first letter from Martin at age ten.
Rachel let him decide whether to read it.
He did.
Martin apologized.
Not perfectly.
But more honestly than before.
He admitted stealing.
Lying.
Frightening Rachel.
Using money as control.
He did not ask Ethan to forgive him.
That surprised everyone.
Ethan wrote back.
He didn't show anyone the letter.
Years later, Jax learned what it said.
I love you because you're my dad.
But I don't want to become like you.
I hope you become someone I can visit someday.
Martin kept the letter.
According to his counselor, he read it often.
Jax struggled with Ethan's decision to maintain contact.
Rachel understood.
"He's his father."
"He hurt you."
"Both things are true."
Jax looked at her.
"I hate when you're reasonable."
Rachel smiled.
"You hated when I wasn't."
"Also true."
When Ethan eventually visited Martin, Jax drove him.
He waited outside.
Ethan returned an hour later.
"How was it?"
"Weird."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
They drove home.
Halfway there, Ethan spoke.
"Can I call you something?"
Jax glanced at him.
"Depends."
Ethan smiled.
"Bonus Dad."
Jax laughed.
"Absolutely not."
"Too late."
"That is horrible."
"BD for short."
"Even worse."
Ethan smiled out the window.
Jax did too.
May you like
He had never expected to become important to a boy who wasn't biologically his.
Maybe that was why it mattered so much.
