MY MOTHER-IN-LAW FORCED ME UNDER THE CHRISTMAS DINNER TABLE — THEN MY FATHER WALKED IN AND TOOK EVERYTHING BACK
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Chapter 12 / 16
Chapter 11 - MY MOTHER'S LETTER
A year later, my father gave me another box.
It belonged to my mother.
Inside were photographs.
My childhood.
My first Christmas.
My first day of school.
My wedding.
And one photograph I had never seen.
My mother was holding four newborn babies.
Daniel.
Me.
Claire.
Anna.
I stared.
She had written beneath it:
My four reasons to survive.
I cried.
My father sat beside me.
“She loved you.”
“I know.”
“She wanted you protected.”
“I know.”
“I'm sorry I couldn't do more.”
I looked at him.
“You did.”
“I should have done it sooner.”
“Maybe.”
He smiled sadly.
“But you came.”
He nodded.
“I always would.”
I placed the photograph beside my mother's letter.
For the first time, the four of us had a complete family photograph.
May you like
Not a perfect family.
A real one.
