Just as he was about to leave he saw a container with his name on it.
Having carefully opened it, he removed a letter dated October 14, 1998.
This is what it said:
My Dearest Jesse:
If you are reading this it is because you did not arrive during the short
time I have left to live. Next year I will be 100 years old.
I am content to die now knowing that I did not waste my time here on earth.
You are most likely wondering why I chose not to drink from the spring.
It was the hardest decision I have ever made, but I have never regretted
it. I did go to the spring with the intent to drink from it, but
as I lifted the water in my hands I thought about what you said and then
what your father had told me when we were out on the lake. He told
me this, "Don't be afraid of death, Winnie, be afraid of the unlived life."
Don't blame him for changing my mind for in the end it was my choice and
mine alone. Anyway, as I contemplated all these things I decided
that I could wait and see where life would take me, then, if I chose to,
return to drink from the spring.
While my family was abroad, I met and fell in love with Jonathan.
Though I loved him deeply, I never had the same love for him that I had
for you. Our first children were twins: a son whom I named
after you and a daughter named after your mother. When they were
young I used to tell them the story of a princess and peasant family that
as you have probably guessed was your story told as a fairy tale.
Jesse and May thought that the Princess should have waited and married
the Handsome Young Man, but then when they were older they pronounced it
a ridiculous story that they were too old for. Now my great-grandchildren
listen to it still thinking I should have waited. My great-granddaughter
Anna, though now 14 years old, declares that she will always believe in
that story. In many ways she much like me: in spirit and in personality
and in looks. If you come soon after I write this perhaps you should
make her acquaintance.
Before I go I want you to know that I still love you even though I'm gone
and always have loved you.
Love from yours truly,
Winfred Foster Jackson
P.S. I went to the Eiffel Tower and your is taller and much, much
prettier.
"I will always love you too, Winnie."
"You knew my Great grandma? How?" asked a vaguely familiar voice behind him.
Jesse spun around upon hearing the voice. He couldn't believe his eyes. The girl before him was an almost exact copy of Winnie.
"I'm Anna. Who are you?"
"Jesse," he said shortly.
"Hey, that's my grandpa's name! So how do you know my Great grandma?"
"It's a long, unbelievable story..."
________________
So how was it? R&R.