FORTUNE: A FREENBECKY STORY

Chapter 32 📜

Under the pile of letters Becky noticed a small cardboard box that was no bigger than a tube of lipstick. She opened it up to reveal a bottle of Marlin's essence.

"Ma!!" She shouted, but there was no response. So Becky rushed to empty the contents of the box onto the table.

The bottle of essence fell out and a small piece of paper rolled up inside dropped out as well. Becky picked it up and opened it. It was a letter from her Da.

The letter read:
Beloved Family,
If you are receiving this it means I have died. I'm not sure what draft version you're seeing currently but know that over the course of this last year I've rewritten this letter several times. I saw it coming but I'm sorry I never prepared you.

Richie, now that I'm gone, I don't have any more time to guide you into becoming a good man. So I'm thankful that you already are. You're still going to make a lot of mistakes but remember to never be too proud to acknowledge it and change it. I'm so confident in you; who you are and who you're going to be.

I know you think we've always worried about you more but that's not true at all. I see you've always found it a little more difficult to choose your path. But I want you to know that it's not because you're lacking in some way but because you're good at many things. Continue to do many things, even if some things will look like they have no hope of any practical application in real life. Because eventually, when you're in need it will all come back to you.

I love you so very much Rich.

Becky, my sparrow, the first thing I want to say is I'm sorry. I'm sorry because I know there is no version of you that will not blame yourself for my death. I know there is nothing that will convince you otherwise but I have to try. You have always listened to me growing up but none of that matters now if you don't listen to me right now.

The day you were born I was not there because I nearly died that day. I was in such a rush to be there for you and your Ma that I was careless in traffic and ended up swerving out of the road to evade another car. (When you start driving, don't be careless in traffic). That day the car flipped over and I flew out of it about 1 metre to the left of the truck that eventually crushed the car completely. It was a miracle.

That day I realised two things. One, life is something that is gifted to you for an apportioned time and nothing can steal that time away from you. Two, when it's your time to go nothing can keep you here. Two miracles happened that day, me and you.

Sparrow, I already know you've already bundled yourself up inside steel walls now that I'm gone. But you have a life so live it. I know it will take a little while to adjust but bring those walls down as soon as you can. I want so much more for you than a life filled with fear of connection and love.

You do not need to be strong. It is not all up to you.

I love you endlessly my little sparrow.

Kayala, I want you to know that I lived a happy wonderful life with you and would never have traded it for all the riches in the world. I wish I could have taken closer care of you these last few years but I also know you and I would have chosen the same given the choice again.

I would like to remind you of how much I love you and how much I appreciate you. I never anticipated being the one who would get to love you and be a partner with you in raising two hell raisers. This life has given me more than I could ever give in return.

You are my soulmate and we will find our way back to each other again. Wether in the next life or in a better place.

I want you to continue to be happy and continue to live your life without me and with no regrets. No matter what that looks like. We had our time and it was wonderful.

I will always love you.

Becky fell into a seat next to the dinning table.
The sounds of rustling keys from outside snapped Becky out of her shock.

"Becca, what are you doing sitting in the dark?" Ma said entering the house with Richie following behind her.

Ma walked over to Becky and noticed the genie essence and grabbed it. "Where did this come from?" She asked
Becky looked up at her, tears now streaming down her face.
Ma finally noticed a piece of creased up paper in Becky's palm.

She took it and began to read it.