Christian's mother sat at her kitchen table and stared at the letter she held in her hands. It was addressed to Christian and had a California postmark. It was written by an obviously feminine hand. There was no return address. She held it up to her face and caught the unmistakable scent of something fruity and fresh. Christian had never received a letter. Not once. This could only be from one person. Mimi Dillon. So, they'd settled in California. Christy thought the plan was Montana, but she wasn't surprised they changed it. What did surprise her was that if this letter was from Mimi, she was going against her mother's wishes by contacting Christian.

"How was your day, Owani?" Anthony asked as he came in through the garage door that led into the kitchen. He called Christy Owani, affectionately. It was his pet name for her that his sister had made up as a child; meaning someone who was cherished and prized above all else.

Christy hadn't heard his truck and looked up at him, her expression unreadable. She normally warmed to the term of endearment he'd been calling her for over twenty years. But she had something else on her mind.

He chanced a quick glance at her before opening the refrigerator and pulling out a bottle of water.

"Christy? Is something wrong, baby?" he asked as he walked toward the table.

She waved the envelope in the air and looked concerned. "This came today. For Christian," she said.

Anthony was raising the bottle to his lips when he stopped and looked at her. "Who's it from?" he asked.

"Don't know. No return address and it has a California postmark," she answered.

The timer on the stove dinged softly, but they both ignored it.

"Who does he know in California?" Anthony asked, his jaw clenching as the possibility that this letter might be from Mimi sunk in. Anthony cared enough about Grizz, Ginny, and their children to break off their friendship. Even at the expense of his son's feelings.

"I don't know if he knows anyone from California. I do know that he has never, not once, received a handwritten letter. From anyone. What should we do?" Her big blue eyes were concerned.

"We open the damn thing and see who it's from for starters," he stated.

Dear Christian,

I know it's been months since we moved and I'm sorry it's taken so long to get in touch with you. It's kind of complicated. My mom did marry the man you heard us talking about. James. He's a good man and I'm glad for my mom. I still miss my dad, but I like seeing my mother so happy.

The reason we didn't want anyone to know where we were going is because my mother is ready to start a new chapter in her life and doesn’t want any sad reminders of our past. I know you understand what I’m talking about so there’s no need for me to go into details. She didn’t feel like we could have a fresh start if we stayed connected to South Florida. Jason and I were ready for a change anyway. I'm sure my mom told your mom how hard things were getting for him at school.

I'll be starting my senior year in a few weeks. I've already made new friends over the summer, so starting in a new school doesn't seem so scary. I guess you graduated this past spring.

I have some other news. My mother is pregnant! She's due next year, but the doctor says she might be early because she's having twins. We can hardly believe it. It'll be an adjustment having not one, but two babies in the house.

I don't know if you remember the last time we played wedding. I don't know if you even remember that we used to play that. Anyway, seeing my mom with her big belly reminded me of it. I don't remember a whole lot, but I do remember one thing. Do you remember the ring you won for me out of the claw machine? I wish I still had it but I don't remember what I did with it.

I feel a little stupid writing about that memory and I wish I could remember more. But I did promise you I would contact you. I felt like we made a connection that last night before I left. I think I saw in your face that you felt it too. You said that you were afraid that you waited too long, that it was too late. I think you were talking about us. If I'm wrong, this will go down as the most embarrassing letter in history. But I don't think I'm wrong. At least I hope not.

I also promised my mother and James when we left Florida, I wouldn't look back, and I meant it. But then we had those few minutes alone in your room. I'm breaking a promise by writing this letter. I want to stay in touch with you and the best way, for now, is for me to give you my email address. I set up a new account on a public computer. I think that would be a good thing for you to do the same thing. If we can stay in touch over email for a little bit, maybe as time goes by things will change. You can email me at [email protected]

I won't be able to check that email regularly, but I will as often as I can. Please email me back so I know you got this letter. I can't wait to catch up with you, Christian, and I'm sorry I didn't make more of an effort when I lived there. I hope you don't think that it's too late. Like I told you that night, and again in this letter, it's not too late for me.

Love,

Mimi

After quietly reading the letter out loud, Christy gently folded it and put it back in the envelope. She didn't have to ask Anthony what they should do. She knew that Christian would never see it.

"I thought we were successful in squelching anything that might've been brewing between them. I knew he acted differently last year after he drove her home. I got rid of his phone and after convincing him he lost it, I got him a new one in the event she tried to contact him. I even turned Mimi down every time she asked if I needed her to babysit." Christy brushed her hand through her hair and looked up at Anthony. "And you set him up to get busted and sit in juvie for a while." She blew out a long breath and said, "That last night at dinner, I didn't detect anything between them. If anything, I think I remember him stomping off to his room. I guess maybe we didn't do as good a job as we thought we did."

"We did just fine," Anthony told her. "And I know what you're thinking, Owani. Don't feel bad. Christian isn't mature enough to be trusted with their location or their secret."

Shaking his head, Anthony headed for the master bathroom to take a shower. Christy shoved the letter from Mimi into her purse. She would get rid of it later. She had to pick Daisy up from dance class. After turning off the oven timer, switching the temperature to low, and praying she wouldn't be ruining another meal, Christy grabbed her keys off the hook and headed for the garage.

"I'm so sorry, Son. So very sorry," she whispered to herself.