Chapter 24 - THE FIRST LETTER
Bernice wrote Elodie six months later.
Not sent directly.
Through therapist.
Dr. Levin read first.
Then me.
Then asked Elodie if she wanted it.
She said yes.
Grandma wrote:
Elodie,
You told the truth about your breathing, and I did not believe you enough.
I changed your medicine when I did not have the right.
I made you walk when you were tired and scared.
I pulled you from your hospital bed.
Those were my choices.
You did not make me do them.
Good.
Then:
Asthma is real even when someone cannot see it.
Anxiety is real too, and neither one makes you a liar.
Better.
Then:
You do not owe me a visit, a hug, or forgiveness.
Excellent.
Finally:
Mr. Patches is a very respectable rabbit.
Elodie laughed.
Then cried.
“Do I write?”
“Only if you want.”
She didn’t.
Not then.
The letter stayed in drawer.
Three months later she drew a picture.
Rabbit holding inhaler.
On back:
I’m not pretending.
She asked me to send.
We did.
Bernice replied only:
I know.
May you like
No speech.
That was the right answer.
