“Years later, I asked whether she wanted you during school breaks. She declined. I asked about regular visits. She said her life was too unsettled.
When she remarried, she agreed to a court order giving me sole custody.”
“She sent cards sometimes, but she never asked to speak to you.
I told myself I was protecting your heart. Maybe I was protecting mine too. I couldn’t stand the thought of watching you beg someone to choose you.
You had a right to know when you were old enough.
Then I ran out of days.”
I lowered the letter.
Dad had lied.
He had decided what I was strong enough to know.
Mr. Lewis did not try to defend him.
The remaining documents verified everything.
Mom had agreed to a court order granting Dad sole custody and had rejected the visitation schedule he proposed.
She had chosen absence.
Dad had chosen secrecy.
