The Letter
231 Words
James found it while cleaning the house.
Tucked between the pages of an old Bible, yellowed and creased from age, was a letter addressed to him — in Mama Ada’s handwriting.
He hesitated, fingers trembling, before unfolding it.
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My son, James,
If you are reading this, maybe you have come back home. Maybe not.
I wrote this the night you walked out and said you were never coming back.
It broke my heart, but I didn’t stop praying.
You are my son. I may not have money or much education, but I raised you with love.
And I knew that love would call you back one day.
I don’t hate Susan. I only hate what you let her do to you — the way you lost yourself.
The boy who used to help the neighbors, who laughed with his brother, who sat beside me in church… he disappeared.
I hope one day, you’ll find him again.
If you do, don’t come home to apologize.
Come home to grow.
— Mama
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James pressed the letter to his chest. His eyes burned with tears that refused to fall.
He had done terrible things. But his mother never stopped loving him. Never gave up on him — not even when he gave up on himself.
And now, more than ever, he knew: he couldn’t waste the second chance life was giving him.
- Writer
