The Letter Lily Writes Back
Chapter 19 - The Letter Lily Writes Back
At thirteen, Lily decided to write her mother a letter.
She did not tell anyone at first.
She wrote it over several nights.
Then she asked Daniel to drive her to the cemetery.
Thomas came too.
Rebecca waited in the car to give them privacy.
Lily sat beside Emily’s grave and read aloud.
“Mom, I found him.”
Daniel looked away.
She continued.
“He likes pancakes too much and he checks my homework even when I tell him I already did it.”
Thomas smiled through tears.
“He and Grandpa still argue, but now mostly about baseball and where to put the thermostat.”
Daniel whispered, “That is not true.”
Thomas whispered back, “It absolutely is.”
Lily gave them a look.
Both men became quiet.
Then she continued.
“I used to wish you had told him sooner. Sometimes I still do. But Dad says wishing for another past can make you miss the life you actually have.”
Daniel had forgotten saying that.
Lily had not.
She finished.
“I miss you. I’m okay. We’re all okay.”
She folded the letter and placed it beneath the yellow tulips.
Then she stood.
Daniel held out his hand.
Lily took it.
Thomas reached for her other hand.
She let him.
May you like
They walked away from the grave together.
This time, no one was waiting behind them with a secret.
