Chapter 12 - Ryan’s Last Letter
Ryan wrote from county detention.
Not to me.
To Jessica.
She brought the unopened letter to the lake.
“I don't want to read it alone.”
“You don't have to read it at all.”
She considered that.
Then opened it.
Ryan blamed me.
Then Margaret.
Then Natalie.
Then the bank.
Then his parents.
Then Jessica.
Everybody except Ryan.
Halfway through, Jessica stopped.
She folded the letter.
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I don't need to finish.”
She tore it once.
Then stopped.
“No.”
She placed it intact on the table.
“I don't need to destroy it either.”
She slid it into an envelope for her attorney.
“That’s evidence. Not my life.”
May you like
I smiled.
That might have been the strongest thing I'd ever seen her do.
