Page 101 of When Love Is Lost and Found

"You're right. I'm sorry. It's just that I'm shocked she left."

"Why don't you come inside?” he says. "Sharon left something for you."

"What is it?" I ask.

"I have no idea."

I see the letter on the table and recognize Loren's handwriting right away. It's the letter she wrote to Sharon.

Dear Sharon,

You lost your first love, but you found it again with Jon.

What you felt for him didn't go away with time.

I watched you fall in love with him more and more with each passing year.

Your eyes would light up every time I mentioned him, and you looked forward to his calls as much as I did.

Jon loves you. You both have to decide if your love is stronger than your hurt and past mistakes.

Don't let pride and unforgiveness keep you from your happily ever after.

I watched first-hand the agony Jon endured trying to come to terms with Jimmy's death and his role in what happened.

No one could ever blame him more than he blames himself.

He's a good man, worthy of your love.

But if you can't let this go, you must let him go.

You have my blessing to sell this house and return to California.

The house is yours with no strings attached. You can put it on the market tomorrow if you'd like.

But first, apologize to Jon. You owe him that much.

I love you, Honey.

Loren

***

I walk back to the house in a daze, reading the letter several times. As soon as I walk in the door, I pick up the phone to call my parents.

"I messed up, Dad."

"Yes, you did, Son. You absolutely did."

"Thanks for helping me feel better."

"Well, I’m not going to sugarcoat it, Jon." The way he uses my name makes it clear he's not happy with me.

"I know, Dad."

"I guess this means you're not coming to Japan." Mom's voice in the background is loud enough for me to hear.

"God brought her to your doorstep," Dad continues, "and you let her go."

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