Dear Children,
I am writing you this letter, so I may tell you what I was before I met your mother, and to show you that people can change. I want you to know that through out my letter know that things were different for me, and that I care for you tremendously. My dears before I tell you all that I wish to you will to know my real name is Jimmy Valentine.
My previous occupation was indeed that of a safe-cracker. Now let me take you back to why I became a safe-cracker. It all started when my parents met. My father was a safe-cracker, but my mother didn’t know that. He was in town on vacation from his “job”. He walked into the Hattie’s Hat’s and right as he walked in he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He talked she blushed just the normal stuff, but then they looked in each others eyes, and fell hard. They started dating, and before you know it they were married, and had little Jimmy (me). Yet all during this time my father was still doing his “job“, but in small proportions. Finally, my father couldn’t take this life anymore. He told my mother that he had to leave and explained everything. “ It doesn’t matter. I’ll come with you,” she begged. Although she tried, and tried he told her that it would be dangerous for us to come with her, because there was always someone after him. Then he left.
Even though he left she never stopped loving him. All my childhood she would tell me stories about him, how they met, and the love they shared. He sent money every month, always coming in the ten thousands. My mother and I lived in the finest houses, had the greatest cooks, and the largest lands. We were what you would call high society. Then it all started for me on my 16th birthday. There was a knocking at the door, but that wasn’t a big surprise, because we were holding a ball at my house tonight. My footman Shawn went to the door to answer it, but there was a strange look on his face. There were muffled voices then all of a sudden Shawn raised his voice, and said “Yes ,Jimmy and Mrs. Valentine will be sent to the drawing room after you.” After Shawn led the stranger to the drawing room I walked in. There was a man. As I walked in he stood beginning to size me up. He wore a black suit, very classy if I might add, yet there was something in those green eyes that looked always ready to run. My mother will be here shortly was all I was able to say in my daze. I couldn’t help it he looked so familiar to me. Right as I finished my statement my mother walked in. She glanced at the man, and instantly broke into tears. “Egwene” he said staring at her gingerly. Her expression showed that she couldn’t believe this man was here now. “I need to take the boy. If he is anything like you say, I’ll need him.” he said trying to convince her. “ Hold on, I am very confused,” I said dumbfounded. “Oh yes, Jimmy let me introduce you to your father”. I stepped back completely confused. “Egwene, we don’t have time for pleasantries. We have to go now.” He stood there with the same look of readiness in his eyes. “ I’m so sorry dear, but we must leave”, staring at her sad eyes he knew it was hurting her. He planted a kiss on her cheek , grabbed my arm, and pulled me outside into his very nice transportation device. “Sir please, let me at least say goodbye to my mother before you take to…….where ever your taking me.” I said hoping my so called father had some type of heart. “There’s no way, we were already suppose to be out of here 15 minutes ago. You’ll be fine without you mother for a couple of days. I haven’t seen her in years, and I’m doing just fine. Might as well get some rest now.” Not wanting to talk to this monster that took me away from my mother anymore I fell asleep instantly. I was awakened by his harsh voice hushed into a whisper. “Come on get up boy. I have a job for you.” As I opened my eyes I could tell we were somewhere we weren’t suppose to be. I looked around starting to really wake up and noticed a sign behind me that read, ”Downton’s Bank” . “What are we doing in a bank at this hour,” I spoke quite annoyed. “That doesn’t matter right now. Right now I need you to open this safe and prove your worth.” I stared at him thinking he was in insane, “You want me to open this safe?”. “Yes! You’re my son, I’m completely sure you can open this safe,” he whispered. I looked him with a look of precaution on my face. “Just do what you think is right.” I picked up this strange metal tool and just started doing what I thought was right. It felt so natural and soon after I was done. The safe was open. He stared at with a sly smile, and took the money out of the safe. From then on I was a professional safe-cracker. I loved the adrenaline rush it gave you. The trill of always being on the run. I loved the thought of being more cunning then everyone else. That’s how it all began. I never considered myself doing wrong, because I never had time to rethink what I was doing. Always being on the run never gave me time to think about anything, but to stay hidden.
Now I bet your wondering why I ever changed if I loved it so much. Well that’s simple one day I was standing outside of a bank in a little town called a Elmore wondering how I can ”make myself useful in this town when the most gorgeous creature I had ever seen walked by me. It was your mother Annabelle. She had this air about her that made have to remind myself to breath. Right when I laid my eyes on her I knew she was the one for me and had to have her as my bride. I knew this was the way mother felt about my father. She made me change, the moment I saw her. For me it was very easy to make the change. I never thought about it twice after your mother. She would sometimes ask me about my past, and I would tell her about life right up until my 16th birthday because then I had to go to the shoe store to do inventory.
Children now that you know my previous occupation and why I changed let me tell you what I have learned. Before I reformed I thought I was cunning, the best of the batch. I never second guessed myself. Now I feel self- satisfied. I feel like I have helped this country in a small way by being the people. The most valuable thing I’ve learned over the years was not to take things for granted and to follow your heart. Dears, please learn from my mistakes. An honest and honorable living is the only way, love is the only way. Always trust your heart and choose your life path carefully. My love will forever be among you.
Love, Your father.
