Eighteen Years After Ray Abandoned Him on a Dirt Road, Thomas Found His Mother’s Letter

A letter from my mother.

It was addressed to you.”

Diane was silent.

I heard a drawer slide open on her end, then shut.

“Diane? You there?”

“I never saw that letter, Thomas.” Her voice had gone soft.

“Ray told me he burned it after Elaine died.

He said there was nothing in it but hospital bills.”