Page 84 of Love, Always and Forever
“Sarge and I will be fine right here. But if you need us, call and we’ll come running.”
“Good to know.”
He stood up and kissed her on the cheek before heading over to the annex. Once inside, he took a minute to look around. Joe had helped his three sons finish the garage into their own three-bedroom apartment, and he’d left his mark on the place just as he had on Jack, Tino, and Mikhail. No wonder he’d felt compelled to return there to read Joe’s letter.
He settled on the couch and carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the single sheet of paper inside. “Dad, whatever you told Jack and Tino worked for them. I hope like hell you’re batting a thousand in this, because I really need you to help me get my head on straight one last time.”
Dear Mikhail,
Misha, my boy, I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I’m not sitting there knocking back a few beers with you. But things are as they are, so this letter will have to do instead.
God knows, I never claimed to be all that wise, and I can just hear Marlene laughing at the very idea. However, that’s not going to stop me from offering you one last piece of advice.
Son, it’s past time for you to dig down deep and find a way to forgive yourself for what happened with your mom. It was never ever your job to take care of her. After all, she was the adult in the family, not you. Having said that, I always figured she must have been pretty special to have raised a son with a big heart like yours. She would’ve never wanted you to bear the burden of guilt you carry over her death. Believe that, even if you never believe anything else I have ever tried to teach you.
In truth, you were the only one in her life who never failed her. Not once. You did your best by her, which is a helluva lot more than anyone else ever did.
The bottom line here is that you need to let go of your pain and let yourself love without fear and without reservations. Yeah, letting someone into your heart comes with risks, but they are worth taking. You deserve to be happy. Your mother would have wanted that for you every bit as much as Marlene and I do.
It’s been an honor to call you my son.
Love,
Joe
Mikhail had been afraid that he’d lose it reading his father’s letter, but instead, he realized he was smiling. Yeah, he shed a few tears, but his heart felt lighter than it had in ages…in fact, maybe ever.
“Dad, it seems like Marlene, you, and Amy are all in agreement on this, and maybe hearing it for the third time is the charm or something. It’s time I let go of the past and do something about my future.”
He folded the letter and put it in his pocket. Since it felt like Joe was sitting beside him, he worked out his plans aloud. “Guess I’ll go ask Mom if she’d mind babysitting Sarge for a few days, and then let my boss know that I need some time off. Once all that’s settled, I’m going to go find Amy. She’s my best friend. You know, like Mom was yours.”
As he locked up the annex on his way out, he whispered, “Thanks again, Dad. I’ll let you know how things turn out.”
