...when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. My life had been in a tailspin for years. It began with your grandfather's death when I was fourteen. A year later, I was breaking curfew on a regular basis. I was also experimenting with drugs, starting with marijuana and then moving on to the harder stuff. I was shooting heroin by my junior year. Once my stepfather figured out what I was doing, he threw me out. I was a street kid for what seemed like the longest time. Then I met Tess. She worked at a shelter for kids like me. She got me into a treatment program. Later, she helped me find a job and go back to school. I really thought I was going to make it. I tried to contact my mother but she was ill and her husband wouldn't let me see her. When she died, I fell apart again. That's when I met him.
His name was Andrew and he found me in an alley after I OD'd. Somehow, he got me to the hospital in time. Afterwards, he took me back to Tess. He would visit me once or twice a week. Sometimes, we would go to a museum or out to dinner. He encouraged me to stay clean and go back to school. He said that I had important things to do in this life. Six months later, he said it was time for me to move on but that someday, we would meet again.
Two months later, I was stunned to discover that I was pregnant. I don't know how it happened but somehow, I know that Andrew was responsible. I also knew that I did need to move on and start over. With Tess's help, I moved to LA where, a couple of weeks later, I met Hank.
While I never saw Andrew again, I did meet Tess one more time. A week after I told you not to come back, she showed up at the gallery. I broke down and told her what had happened, how angry and stupid I had been. She told me to keep the faith and that you would come back home when you were ready.
I hope that, someday, you will be able to forgive me for not telling you sooner.
Love,
Mom
- - -
Joyce had just settled down to rest on the couch when she heard someone in the house.
"Hello, Joyce," a voice she had never forgotten said.
She opened her eyes to see Andrew. She stood up in amazement.
"Andrew, how..."
"I told you we would meet again. I've come to take you home."
