SOUL

the letter

December 6th, 2014

Leo sat on the edge of his bed, his father's heavy footsteps echoing in the hallway. His head throbbed, and the bruises on his body ached, but none of that compared to the weight in his chest. He'd survived the accident, but three of his closest friends hadn't. The grief, the guilt—it was all-consuming, eating him alive from the inside out.

His father knocked softly on the door and entered, his face somber, lined with exhaustion that came from trying to hold his family together after everything that had happened. Without a word, his dad sat beside him on the bed, holding something in his hand.

"Leo," his father said quietly, his voice strained. "Mary came by this morning. She left this for you."

Leo looked down at the folded letter in his father's hand, his heart clenching painfully at the sight of her familiar handwriting. His fingers shook as he took the letter, the weight of it heavier than anything he had ever held. The girl he had pushed away when he needed her most—had left him something.

His father gave him a gentle pat on the back, as if sensing that Leo needed space. "I'll be downstairs if you need anything," he said softly before leaving the room.

Leo sat in silence for a long time, staring at the letter. His mind raced, battling between wanting to know what she had written and being too scared to read the words she had left behind. But eventually, his hands unfolded the paper, and his eyes scanned the first line.

Dear Leo,

I don't even know how to start this, but I guess I should begin by saying I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for everything—for the things I couldn't control, for the things I couldn't protect you from, and for the ways I've let you down. If I could take it all back, I would, in a heartbeat. But life doesn't work that way, does it?

You've been through so much, Leo. More than most people will ever understand. And it breaks my heart to know that you're hurting because of me. But please know that everything I've ever done has been to protect you. I know it might not feel like that right now, but it's the truth. All I ever wanted was to save you, to make sure that you had the life you deserved—the one your mother would have wanted for you.

Speaking of her... Leo, she would be so proud of the man you've become. I know I am. She's always watching over you, and I believe with everything in me that she's so incredibly proud of your strength, your heart, and your determination. You've been through hell, but you keep going, even when it feels impossible.

You're still here. And that means something. It means you've been given another chance, Leo—a chance to live, to rebuild, to find happiness again. Don't waste it. Please. Don't let this stop you from living the life you deserve.

I know it feels like everything is falling apart. I know it feels like your world has ended. But it hasn't, Leo. I promise you, it hasn't. It's just changed. And you can get through this, even though it doesn't feel like it now.

You're the most important person in my life. You always have been, and you always will be. I know we haven't been close lately, and I'm sorry for that, too. I've tried to protect you from things I thought you didn't need to see, things I thought I could handle on my own. But I realize now that maybe I was wrong.

I adore you, Leo. I always have. You're the person I've always believed in, even when you didn't believe in yourself. I don't know how to make up for the pain you're feeling right now, and I don't know if I ever can. But I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will always be here for you. If you ever need me—if you ever need anything at all—all you have to do is say the word, and I'll be there.