Chapter 12 - THE LETTER HE SENT AFTER I LEFT
Six weeks later, I received a letter.
Not a text.
Not an email.
A handwritten letter.
The envelope carried my name.
Inside was a single sheet of cream-colored paper.
Dear Tessa,
I hope your doctoral work is going well.
Dr. Varela says my progress is steady, although apparently I still argue too much.
The kitchen has been renovated properly. The staff now insists I cook dinner every Sunday.
Sofia's scholarship fund has accepted its first five students.
I thought you'd want to know.
You once told me recovery wasn't only about walking.
I didn't believe you.
Now I do.
I also owe you an apology.
When you arrived, I treated you like another person I could order around. You deserved better.
Thank you for refusing to let me remain that man.
I hope you're happy.
Massimo
I read it three times.
Then cried.
Camila found me staring at the letter.
She smiled.
"Well?"
I looked up.
"What?"
"Are you going to answer?"
I hesitated.
"Should I?"
She sat beside me.
"Tessa, your professional relationship ended weeks ago."
"I know."
"But?"
I swallowed.
"I don't want to make a mistake."
Camila nodded.
"Then don't rush."
I looked at the letter.
"He's changed."
She smiled.
"So have you."
I waited another week.
Then wrote back.
I told him about my research.
My dissertation.
The patients I was working with.
And the fact that I'd finally paid off the overdue tuition.
At the end, I wrote:
I'm glad you're cooking again.
And I'm glad you're finding reasons to enjoy your life.
Take care of yourself, Massimo.
Tessa
I mailed it.
Then tried not to think about whether he'd answer.
He did.
Three days later.
This time, the letter contained only one question.
Would you like to have dinner with me?
May you like
I stared at it.
Then smiled.
