I’d begged him to reconsider. I’d even offered to drive him to Emily’s house.
None of that was true.
He’d always given the same answer.
“She doesn’t want me there, Margaret.”
Helen came closer.
“What does it say?”
I handed her the page.
Helen came closer.
She read it, then looked at me.
“Oh, Maggie.”
“He used my name.”
“Did Emily receive this?”
“Oh, Maggie.”
“She said he answered her.”
I took out my phone.
This time, I wasn’t waiting.
Emily answered on the fourth ring.
“Mom?”
This time, I wasn’t waiting.
“I need to come back. I didn’t tell you everything.”
She was quiet.
“Is this about Dad?”
“Yes. And something he said about me.”
“Come tomorrow evening.”
“Is this about Dad?”
I arrived at six with the envelope.
Daniel opened the door and led me into the kitchen. Emily was waiting.
I placed the letters in front of her.
“I found these sewn inside your father’s coat.”
She recognized her handwriting.
Emily was waiting.
“He kept them?”
“Every one.”
She read the letters slowly.
Then I gave her Frank’s reply.
“He kept them?”
Emily barely glanced at it.
“I’ve seen this.”
“I hadn’t.”
She looked up.
“He told me you agreed with him.”
“I hadn’t.”
“He never asked me. I didn’t even know he’d written to you.”
Emily’s face tightened.
“But you knew he didn’t approve of Daniel.”
“Yes.”
“And you kept telling me to give him time.”
“Yes.”
I couldn’t deny it.
“I thought he’d come around.”
“Fifteen years, Mom.”
“I should’ve asked you what happened instead of believing him.”
Emily folded the paper.
“Fifteen years, Mom.”
“When Jamie was born, I thought you’d only visit if Dad allowed it.”
“I would’ve come regardless.”
“How was I supposed to know that, Mom? You always defended him. I needed you to tell me I mattered, even when Dad was angry with me.”
I wanted to tell her about every argument Frank and I had. But none of those arguments had helped Emily.
“How was I supposed to know that, Mom?”
“You’re right. I let you down.”
Emily pressed her lips together.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the letters yesterday?”
“Because I was afraid you’d be hurt again. I thought I could find a way to explain everything first.”
“You’re right. I let you down.”
“That’s what you’ve always done, Mom. You try to make everyone comfortable before anyone can tell the truth.”
I looked at the papers between us.
“I won’t do that again.”
She didn’t reach for my hand.
“I need some time.”
She didn’t reach for my hand.
I stood.
“Take it. You don’t have to make me feel better about any of this.”
I left the envelope with her.
Three days passed.
I wanted to call Emily every evening, but she’d asked for space.
Three days passed.
Instead, I called Helen.
“What if she doesn’t want to see me?”
“Has she said that?”
“No.”
“Then let her decide, Maggie.”
Instead, I called Helen.
The next morning, I found an old photograph from Emily’s wedding.
Frank stood beside me, smiling stiffly.
Emily and Daniel were laughing together.
I remembered what happened after the reception.
Emily and Daniel were laughing together.
Frank had complained about Daniel’s job and accused Emily of settling for less than she deserved.
I’d told him he’d gone too far.
But when Emily demanded an apology, I’d urged her to be patient.
“He’s your father,” I’d said.
“And I’m your daughter.”
“He’s your father.”
I’d remembered Frank’s anger clearly.
I’d spent years trying not to think about Emily’s answer.
I sent her a message.
“I’ve been thinking about your wedding.
You deserved more support from me. I’m sorry.
You don’t need to reply.”
I sent her a message.
Then I put the photograph away.
For once, I wouldn’t chase her for an answer she wasn’t ready to give.
A week later, Emily called.
“Jamie’s got a school event on Friday. He wants you there.”
“I’d love to come.”
She paused.
“I’d love to come.”
“Daniel will be helping with the event.”
“Then I’ll see him too.”
“Mom, please don’t make it about Dad.”
