Chapter 9 - The Apology
Mom,
I know you might throw this away, and I don't blame you if you do. I'm not writing this to ask for money, or a place to stay, or even your forgiveness. I don't deserve it.
I graduated from the program yesterday. I got a job working on a construction crew framing houses. It's hard work, but I'm paying my own rent on a small studio apartment. I’m sober. I’m going to my meetings.
I am writing this because I need to tell you that you saved my life. If you hadn't called the police, if you hadn't locked me out, if you hadn't let me go to jail, I would have ended up dead, or in prison forever.
I am so deeply, profoundly sorry for what I did to you. For the fear I caused. For the pain. I can never take it back, but I promise you, I will never be that man again.
You don't ever have to reply. Just please know that I am finally trying to be the son you always deserved.
Love, Tyler.
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I read the letter three times. A single tear slipped down my cheek, landing on the paper. It wasn't a tear of sorrow. It was a tear of profound, overwhelming relief.
I folded the letter and placed it in a memory box. I didn't call him. I knew he needed to walk this path alone for a while longer. But my heart was finally at peace.
