Shattered

21: Battlescarred

  It was late January in Jennings, but it did not feel that way at all. One week it would be warm enough to wear shorts, and the next week, one would be freezing in their coat and boots.

  The moody weather reflected upon everyone in the small town, and nearly everyone was either missing Christmas, or wishing for summer. 

  That day was a particularly warm one, as Brooke walked home from an early afternoon shift at Todd's. Todd had recently hired more help, including Isabelle's father, Ryan, as a part-time cook. The little difference of a few more workers was incomparable to the small staffing the diner had previously had. Brooke did not have to work as late into the evening, and she was finally starting to feel better about the arrangement. It was amazing to her what a little more sleep and a little less aching could do to a person.

  She stopped by the mailbox, and reached in to get the day's mail. It was more mail than usual, and she looked through it curiously as she headed up the stairs. Bills, advertisements, trash, but the last one was in a small, pale blue envelope. In thin, slanted penmanship, written in dark blue ink, was Brooke's name and their address.

  Pulling her keys out of her pocket, she continued to look at the letter, wondering who it was from. 

  "I'm home!" she called, after she had closed the door behind her. Excited to open the letter, she tossed the rest of the mail on the counter, and walked down the hall toward her bedroom.

  "Hey, Brooke," called Jacob from the living room. "There's a message for you on the answering machine."

  "Okay, thanks, I'll listen to it in a few minutes," said Brooke, tearing at the envelope as she walked into her bedroom. 

  She sat down on her bed, and pulled out the paper within the envelope. She spotted the first words on the top of the page, and immediately burst into tears. In the same thin, slanted penmanship were the words "My Dearest Brooke."

  It was from her mother. 

  Calming down enough to control her tears, she continued reading.

  "This is not an easy letter to write, but I must say that yours was not an easy one to read. I believe that everything you said in your letter was true, and I beg you to take into consideration what I am about to tell you. 

  "I regret beyond anything leaving you and Brianna. I do not even think I can begin to describe what made me do it, but to this very day I wish I had not. Not a day goes by where I don't think of my two beautiful daughters. I want you to know that I am recovering. I don't even know what that means, but I am. I wish I could come back, and start things over, but I cannot do that to you all. I have made a horrible mistake in leaving you, and I do not think that coming back will straighten anything out. If anything, it will make everything worse, and therefore I think it is best if I distance myself from you girls.

  "Please do not think I am doing this for myself, for I know if I did it my way, I would have come back long ago. Instead, I am doing this for you, and your well-being. It is difficult to understand, but even more difficult to explain. I hope you will trust me in knowing that I have your best interest at heart, and I never want to hurt you again. I rightfully deserve everything which you said about me, and I accept full blame on everything. 

  "Brooke, I also want you to know how incredibly proud of you I am. That may not mean a lot coming from someone like me, but it is the truth. I truly believe great things from you, my dear. Never give up on what you want to accomplish, no matter how many people tell you you can't do it. You have my full trust that you can do anything. I hope you take that initiative with you for the rest of your days, and I pray that you will use it for prosperity.