Finding Mr. Right

Chapter 22

I got home pretty late and ended up sleeping in a little longer than I'm use to. I knew that today would be a day filled full of sadness. Being betrayed by Caleb would surely devastate my family. He had kept this secret for so long and had intentionally tried to get close to us under false pretenses. It was completely unforgivable. I took a show and pulled my hair up into a messy wet bun. I brushed my teeth and headed out of my bedroom and towards the kitchen. It was already 10:00 and dad and Elizabeth had already eaten and were sitting in the living room. Dad said that he had some pancakes in the stove for me if I wanted them. I was starving so I got them out of the stove and slathered them with syrup. I ate like I hadn't eaten in days. I knew that once I got finished I would have to tell them the new and they would be heartbroken. 

I finished my pancakes and cleaned my plate off in the sink. I was stalling as much as I could. I wasn't ready to tell them the truth about Caleb but I knew that I had to buckle down and just tell them.  When I walked in I saw them looking at a stack of letters. I was curious as to what they were but I had a mission I was on and that was to let them know the truth. So I began with, "Guys I have something I need to tell you about Caleb."

They both looked up at me as if I had said something completely crazy. I walked over to the stack of letters and they were all from Caleb addressed to my family.

"What is all of this?" I asked clearly confused as to why they had a stack of letters from Caleb.

"Honey sit down we need to talk to you." Dad said while patting the couch cushion beside of him for me to sit down at. "Caleb came by here last night and gave us this stack of letter and told us what happened with you and him." He gave me a pity smile and then picked up the stack of letters.

"Letters about what? I don't understand. How is this suppose to fix anything? He left mom there all alone. He could have stayed and comforted her in her last moments. But he didn't he left and for what a stupid career in the military. I'm sure they would have understood that he had much more important things going on. Like for instance being a kind, compassionate and caring human being to a woman who is never going to see her family ever again." I was chocking back the tears.

"I know you are angry with him for just leaving but I really think you should read the letter he has written to our family for all of these years. He has carried this burden with him for over four years now. I think he has suffered enough. He couldn't save your mom. Nobody could. Caleb is a really great guy and he deserves for you to at least read his letters." He squeezed my hand and then let go standing up and motioning for Elizabeth to do the same.

I picked up the first letter. I rolled my eyes and decided to at least look at one letter. I didn't feel like I owed Caleb anything. He in fact owed me. He came here under false pretenses and made me fall in love with him. Did dad seem to forget that part of the story. No letter could fix that. I focused my attention back on the letter and it read as follows.

Dear Family of Jennifer,

My deepest condolences to you all. I got to meet your wife and mother on the night of her accident. She was such a wonderful woman and spoke so may kind words about each and every one of you. She said she had two daughters. One who was just starting college and she was so proud of. She said that she could be anything she wanted to be because she was so smart and such a hard worker. She was also as tough as nails and had the biggest and kindest heart of anyone she ever knew.
She also talked about her younger daughter who she said was so put together and the most responsible and caring young lady she had ever met. She would be successful no matter what she chose to do in life.
She told me that her husband was the love of her life and she was so happy their paths had met when they did. She was grateful that she married her best friend and made a wonderful life with him. She said that she wouldn't have changed a thing no matter how tough things to be from time to time. That's what loving someone means.
I know there is nothing I can do now but I feel guilty for  leaving her there. I had no idea she wasn't going to make it. I will never be able to forgive myself for not saying and making sure she was ok. I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart and hope that you all can forgive me one day.

Sincerely,

Caleb

As I finished reading the letter my heart began to break. It wasn't Caleb's fault mom didn't make it. It really wouldn't have mattered if he did stay. She was so far gone that no one could have saved her. I am such an idiot. He has been beating himself up over this for all these years now and I made him feel even worse about leaving her there all alone.