Forget me never...

Letter 42

My dear Anthony-William,

I was in England for many months, so I didn't get your letter until I came back to America. And not as soon as I arrived. As you had written to the theatre, it was in the pile of mail from my fans. Since I answer every letter, or at least I sign them, because my assistant is the one that opens them and answers them for me. He reads them loudly, so that I know what is in each letter. I also dictate my answers and I sign the finished letters. You can imagine my surprise when he read me yours! «Shocked» is not the word that I would use when I discovered your existence. I rather had the impression that all the earth was opening up from under me, and I was plunged in, unable to keep in the world, with air. I had tears in my eyes and I cried, but they were tears of the immense joy that was submerging me! I have a son! You can't know the gift that you have given me, my son! Thank you for coming into the world, thank you for existing. I beg your pardon for all those years that we lost and that we will never recuperate. But I propose that we go forward. I would have come to see you if I had the time or if I had seen the letter before I engaged in this new theatrical production that I will play in with your grandmother. I haven't told her yet that she has a grandson. You also have a grandfather, my dad. For the moment, the transportation methods are not fast enough to bring me from New York to Lakewood so fast. But I could send you an invitation for you to come to the Premiere of my play.

I don't know yet how I'll behave with your mommy. I am still very mad at her for the time being. I even want to ask her to come and bring you here at my home, what do you think? But you probably go to school and it wouldn't be a good thing for you to miss some school days.

I have so many things to tell you my little one and so many things that I would like to do with you, I don't know where to start. I even feel like leaving everything in plan and running to see you, but many people are counting on me and I can't do that. It would be irresponsible of me. I have taken an engagement and I must respect it. We must always respect our engagements, my son. I'm eager to read your next letter. And you have no idea how your first letter made me happy.

Your daddy,

Terry Grandchester