Epilogue
30 November
Ms. Nesta Small
Reef Port Station
Negril, Jamaica
Via Air Mail
Dear Ms. Small:
I hope you will not mind me writing without identifying myself. I’m afraid such introductions would only complicate a matter that is really quite simple.
Your mother was lucky enough to have given birth to a wonderful daughter, and you in turn, were born to a loving family. I cannot say I knew your family in its entirety, but I know enough to understand the love that clearly surrounded your home. Since it is something you have always had in your life, you will not know the feeling of true aching loneliness, but I hope you will trust that it has no place in the human spirit and that no amount of money or fame can compensate for the emptiness that surrounds those of us who have experienced such a loss.
Your mother was a wise woman. She chose to envelope you in things that made you richer and not to burden you with information designed only to diminish your worth in this world. To that end, there is the little matter of the identity of your father, whom you never knew. Your mother was wise to let his name fade from her memory, since he is of no consequence to you. Johnny, the man you know as papa, is the one your mother chose for you and I hope you will be content in the knowledge that he has done well by you. He is, for all intents and purposes, your dad.
I knew your biologic father well. He was not a bad man, just a confused man born into a loveless family. I wish I had seen that sooner. He carried the scars of such an upbringing into his adult life and never quite managed to discard them. Although he did not know it, you were the only thing he ever produced that mattered in this world and so it would be a tragedy to let his one gift drift off without the opportunity to flourish. So he has a gift for you:
A trust account has been established in your name, into which $50,000.00 annually, for the next 20 years, will be deposited. This money is to do with as you will. The account, however, comes with a trust advisor and I hope you will seek his advice. The attachments to this letter will provide you with all the information you need.
A second account has been established for your education. Naturally, it will be up to you to apply to and be accepted to the schools that you wish to attend, but the education trust will provide for 100% of your educational needs while you are in school. I encourage you to take full advantage of your potential.
It is my hope that our paths will cross (again) someday. In the meantime, I will sleep well knowing that you are cared for and loved.
-- a friend
Ms. Nesta Small
Reef Port Station
Negril, Jamaica
Via Air Mail
Dear Ms. Small:
I hope you will not mind me writing without identifying myself. I’m afraid such introductions would only complicate a matter that is really quite simple.
Your mother was lucky enough to have given birth to a wonderful daughter, and you in turn, were born to a loving family. I cannot say I knew your family in its entirety, but I know enough to understand the love that clearly surrounded your home. Since it is something you have always had in your life, you will not know the feeling of true aching loneliness, but I hope you will trust that it has no place in the human spirit and that no amount of money or fame can compensate for the emptiness that surrounds those of us who have experienced such a loss.
Your mother was a wise woman. She chose to envelope you in things that made you richer and not to burden you with information designed only to diminish your worth in this world. To that end, there is the little matter of the identity of your father, whom you never knew. Your mother was wise to let his name fade from her memory, since he is of no consequence to you. Johnny, the man you know as papa, is the one your mother chose for you and I hope you will be content in the knowledge that he has done well by you. He is, for all intents and purposes, your dad.
I knew your biologic father well. He was not a bad man, just a confused man born into a loveless family. I wish I had seen that sooner. He carried the scars of such an upbringing into his adult life and never quite managed to discard them. Although he did not know it, you were the only thing he ever produced that mattered in this world and so it would be a tragedy to let his one gift drift off without the opportunity to flourish. So he has a gift for you:
A trust account has been established in your name, into which $50,000.00 annually, for the next 20 years, will be deposited. This money is to do with as you will. The account, however, comes with a trust advisor and I hope you will seek his advice. The attachments to this letter will provide you with all the information you need.
A second account has been established for your education. Naturally, it will be up to you to apply to and be accepted to the schools that you wish to attend, but the education trust will provide for 100% of your educational needs while you are in school. I encourage you to take full advantage of your potential.
It is my hope that our paths will cross (again) someday. In the meantime, I will sleep well knowing that you are cared for and loved.
-- a friend
posted by Someone with a camera at 1:29 AM
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