Michael had written that Patricia had told him Elaine was trying to replace her as Ryan’s mother. He said he believed that was a lie, but he could no longer persuade Patricia to let Elaine visit.
He asked Elaine to protect the letters he had written to Ryan.
He hoped that one day, when Ryan was old enough, someone would give them to him.
I looked up.
“Did Ryan ever receive any of these?”
Elaine shook her head.
“No. Patricia told me he didn’t want them.”
“How many letters did Michael write?”
“Eleven. I kept copies of every one.”
I looked at the box.
Twenty years of birthdays.
Twenty years of unanswered questions.
And a woman who had convinced her son that everyone who loved him eventually left.
My phone rang.
Ryan.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“With Elaine.”
There was a long silence.
Then he said, “I’m coming.”
When he arrived, he looked exhausted.
