Page 67 of With This Lie

Charlotte

My Dearest Dani,

I was so excited to receive your call the other day after your birthday party but the excitement was cut short when you told me how it went. I wrote this letter to you as soon as I got off the phone with you so I could explain some things. I’m so sorry to hear it wasn’t the best birthday. I wanted it to be so much more for you and I’m sorry I couldn’t be there like I’m supposed to be to make that happen.

With that being said, I want to be honest with you. This is exactly the type of thing I attempted to avoid my entire life. And this is exactly the type of thing I wanted to prevent you from experiencing. I failed in that regard. It seems as though I’ve given you a lifetime of failures and disappointments. I never meant to do that. I never saw myself being that mother. I can’t apologize enough for that.

So here it is, Dani. I’m a grown woman. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be here for the rest of my life. But that doesn’t mean you have to be. That doesn’t mean you have to stay in the city close to me with people who have wronged you. You don’t have to suffer like that. Just go, Dani. Pack up your things and be free of them and me. There’s no reason to stay. There’s no reason to endure what you don’t have to.

Go somewhere beautiful and start over, for the both of us. But for you especially. I can’t give you a birthday present. I’ve never been able to. But I can do this for you. I can tell you what you need to hear. I can set you free. We shouldn’t both be imprisoned.

I love you, Dani. I always have. I hope you know that but in case you’ve ever doubted it, please know it now. Go, my love, my princess. Go and live your life.

All my love,

Mom

---