The Letters
Chapter 06 - The Letters
Emily asked to see the letters.
Frank still had copies of some.
Not many.
He had written them during the first year after Laura disappeared.
Laura,
I don't understand why you left.
I'm sorry for everything.
I would give anything to undo the things that scared you.
Another read:
I dreamed about the baby again.
I never got to hold her.
Emily stopped reading.
“You thought I was dead.”
“Yes.”
She turned another page.
Frank had written:
If there is any way you can forgive me, please tell me where you are.
Emily's eyes filled.
“Grandma kept these?”
“Yes.”
Emily became angry.
Not at Frank.
At a dead woman.
That was difficult anger because there was nowhere to send it.
She looked at Frank.
“Why didn't you change?”
He understood the question.
If losing them hurt so much, why had he kept drinking?
Frank answered honestly.
“Because feeling sorry for yourself is easier than becoming someone better.”
Emily stared at him.
Then nodded.
At least he had not lied.
She placed the letters back in the box.
“I don't forgive you.”
“I know.”
“I don't forgive Mom either.”
Frank said nothing.
Emily looked at him.
“But I want the truth.”
Frank nodded.
“Then I'll give you whatever truth I have.”
May you like
That was the first promise he made to his daughter.
And this time, he intended to keep it.
