Page 139 of Ward Willing
“Thank you,” I whisper, as we pull into the departure area.
“Of course. I’ll be in Crestwood next month to see my granddaughter. Hopefully I’ll be seeing you and that scary boyfriend of yours.”
I huff a laugh as I climb out of the car. After giving Prescott a quick hug, I look at the terminal building and take a deep breath.
If youth only knew…
* * *
I read my dad’s letter on the plane ride home—which is spent in pure, first-class luxury.
There’s no question aboutwhoupgraded me, though I’m not entirely surewhy.
I’d spent the last month debating about whether or not to read it while doing the workshop, but decided to hold off in case it caused my mind to veer off track. As my finger slips beneath the seal of the envelope, I pull a piece of white parchment out. My eyes sting as I take in my father’s handwriting—something I haven’t seen in years. And then, thirty-five thousand feet in the air, I read the last thing my father will ever write to me.
My Dearest Zoe,
If you’re reading this, then the unimaginable has happened. I’m so sorry. Just know that I hope you never have to read this letter. But if you do, I want you to know three very important things.
You are the best thing that ever happened to me. When your mom found out she was pregnant, we were both scared shitless. But we got our lives together and decided that if we were going to be parents, we’d be the best parents in the whole entire world. I don’t know if we accomplished that, but we tried. Still, the day you were born… it changed my life forever. Thank you for making me a father and thank you for being the best daughter anyone could ask for.
Don’t be afraid to fly. The sky is the limit. I hope you spend your days dreaming about all the things you can accomplish. And I hope you know thatno matter what, you have my support.
Be happy. I hope you never question if I would’ve approved your life choices. I would have as long as they make you happy. So if it brings you joy, I am smiling down from heaven. Or up, depending on how the big guy in the sky sees the irresponsible actions of my late teens. Ask Liam about that.
Speaking of Liam, you’ve probably worked out by now that your mother and I chose him to be your guardian. First, he has a good job, large house, and he knows me better than anyone. That much is obvious. But the second reason is twofold, and maybe a bit selfish of me.
He might say he’s fine, that he enjoys his job, that he’s happy in that house without internet (try and convince him to at least get a landline, yeah?) But I know better. He’s lonely, and he’s spent his entire life taking care of his brothers. You might be asking why I gave him another person to take care of, but I hope you can show him that sometimes, it’s okay to have someone to share the burden of always being there for other people.
I love you, Zoe. I wish I could be there to watch you grow up, but I know you’ll be okay. You’re strong and resilient (you get that from your mom… I’m a huge baby).
Love,
Dad
My face is completely wet by the time I finish, and one of the flight attendants must notice, because she scampers over to where I’m sitting.
“Ms. Arma? Is everything okay?” she asks in a British accent.
I huff a laugh as I wipe my face. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
She inspects my face for a second before determining that I’m telling the truth, and then she walks away.
After tucking the letter away, I lean back in my seat and look out the window, thinking about my dad’s letter the entire flight home.
By the time we land, I’m still in a bit of a daze. I couldn’t sleep on the flight, instead having about five lattes, and as much free food as I could, so I’m both exhausted and strung out.
When I come down the escalator, I’m not looking for Liam, because why would he be here? I keep my head down, eager to get to the rideshare line so that I can be home. But as my eyes flick up to see where I am, it’s the sign that catches my attention.
Large and white, a few people are snickering when they point it out, and I stop walking when I take it in.
Languish
Lament
Loathe
Tracking my eyes down, I see Liam holding it with a small smirk on his beautiful face.
