Dear Max,
There are some things I thought you deserved to know. You hurt my mother and on the road from getting away from you, you've hurt me, too. But you've made us stronger.
I will carry scars from what you've done forever. Mum after what you did to her, the bruises, your shouts of things I shouldn't know at 11, and Mum after she left you. I shouldn't have those scars and I especially shouldn't of had them thrust on me when I was so young. I wish I didn't keep it all inside me like I did, too(until the very end) or else maybe things would of been better and the scars wouldn't of been as deep.
Mum didn't press charges against you. I'm not sure if I would of wanted her to do otherwise, for that would of dredged up what we were trying to leave behind. But the question whether you deserved prison or not- definitely yes. But it's fine. We just would of had more scars- Mum and I.
I grew up to learn more about domestic violence. I fight for its victims. You've inspired me to do that, Max. The more I grew up the more I realized how horrible it was and how Mum could of went through that for so long- I surely couldn't. Mum thought you were the most handsome man she ever saw but I guess that was only on the outside. And I bet Mum only thought that because of your blue eyes. Blue hasn't brought her as much luck as that fortune teller said it would so long ago. She's picked a new color- orange.
We've healed well enough. Misti grew up without a father but hey, that's better than what I grew up with. She's about to graduate from the police academy. She's going to be a police officer when she gets older to rescue people from injustice. Yeah I told her the story of her father and she was inspired to do something.
Mum got married finally. Orange brought her Ian again- she noticed his new car. Remember Ian, the guy who gave her the flowers? It also brought me 2 other siblings I love just as much as Misti- two rambunctious boys named Tangerine and Ian Jr. I think it's true love- she's why more mesmerized by him than she ever was by you. I've lost track of how long they've been married actually. Close to 15 years, I think.
I've got a case that just reminded me of you. That's why I'm writing this. Plus I thought there was a lot of things you should know. I looked your name up and found your address so you actually will get it. But notice how it has no return address. That's because I thought there was things you should know but I don't want to know things about you.
I hope you're all alone in an ugly flat worse than the one we lived in when we escaped you. I hope you're not putting this hell you put on Mum on some other woman. If you are then maybe Misti can uncover it and I'll defend her. Maybe you have some screwed-up reason for what you did. An explanation. But I don't want to hear it. It's no excuse. There is no excuse for what you did. I hope you know that at least. And I hope you feel sorry for it.
Sincerely,
Indigo
PS My last name isn't ''Collins'' anymore either. I got married a few years back to a wonderful man nothing like you. I've found a wonderful man who I think I have found true love with. Oh and I'm still best friends with Aisha, the girl I eventually did let it all out to.