Work Text:
Dear Dad,
I accepted from a young age you wouldn’t be a very big part of my life. Always distracted, you always seemed like you had something else on your mind, something more important than me or Mom. You left for Morioh when I was just 6 years old. You promised you would call every night or write as often as you could, but not once did we get a single letter or phone call. 10 months of complete silence on your part. Mom was convinced you were dead until we finally heard from Granny Suzie saying she had spoken to you and Papa Joseph and you’d be home soon. I don’t know what happened on that trip but after you returned you were different, more distant. The divorce was no surprise to anyone, what with the fighting and distrust on both you and Mom’s parts. No, separating didn’t surprise me. After that I started seeing you less and less. I never understood what could have been more important than your only child. Over time I even grew to resent you. I acted out in the hopes of catching your attention but you were always absent. I understand why now, but I still can’t bring myself to forgive you. I love you, Dad, but you really hurt me back then. If things had been different, maybe I wouldn’t be writing this letter. Things can be different now, I’m willing to try if you are, but you can’t erase the past.
I’m not writing this letter to make you feel bad about my childhood, I’m sure you already do. Things are getting pretty crazy lately and the outcome doesn’t look good, but I haven’t lost faith yet. If there was one thing you taught me when I was younger, it was to never let your enemies know your fear. For so long I’ve hated it when someone would say how much I reminded them of you, it always bothered me because of the resentment I carried in my heart, but now I’m starting to realize it’s not such a bad thing.
Dear Dad, maybe things won't be as bad this time around.
Signed, J.