The letter undid me more thoroughly than the lawsuit.

I had spent years keeping my accomplishments tucked away because pride felt dangerous when it came from a place my parents disapproved of.

Walter had seen the beginning of the same story and called it courage.

One afternoon Lena visited and found me reading the letters at the table.

“Your grandfather wrote a lot,” she said.

“He did.

I wasn’t allowed to know.”

“Are you going to answer him?”