Page 118 of Brick's Retribution

I know you hate me. You have every right to. I failed you and your mother in the worst way. I chose crime over getting honest work, chose easy money over integrity, and you both paid the price.

I'm not writing for forgiveness. I know I don't deserve that. I'm writing so someday, maybe, you'll understand. We were being evicted. You were hungry. Your mother was sick. I saw no other way.

I was wrong. There's always another way. I see that now.

I pray every night that you're okay, that you found a better path than mine. That you became the man I couldn't be.

All my love,Dad

I have to stop reading, emotion choking me.

"He’s taking responsibility," Imani says softly. "That's more than a lot of parents do."

"Fifteen years," I manage. "Fifteen years I carried anger at him, and he's been carrying guilt."

"Maybe it's time to let both go," she suggests.

I nod, folding the letter carefully. There are dozens more to read, but this is enough for tonight.

Tomorrow, I’ll write him a letter and get it on the fastest shipping to his prison.

I’m just happy I took one step toward forgiveness, toward healing.