The Novelist Portent
Johnny E. Mahaffey
February 19, 2019

Reply ID: g4qc
Reply to Sunshine, Romiette, and queenmomma

Dear Sunshine,
It's one thing for someone to never have had children or a marriage and missed out. While it's a completely different thing, as with me, having had a marriage—more than one, in fact—and having missed out on so much of that time. To know that my kids were there at the house all of those hours of all of those days that I worked. I should have been there.

I should have appreciated the days that were instead of banking so heavily on the days that were to come that, in the end, did not come.

But today I am at least reconnecting with my kids—or most of them. I am learning that they are all just like me, my daughters Michaila and Eleanor especially! They are so much like me that it's eerie. I literally have called Michaila my clone, even though we have been apart for so long. We seem to have the same views and ideas about life. They are super smart, and I can talk to them about things I can't normally discuss with people. Michaila has expressed this same observation. That she can talk to me about stuff that others around her don't comprehend.

It's nice and I am definitely appreciating this time.
____

Dear Jaime Beth (AKA Romiette),
For 12 years, I found myself ghosted to everyone I knew and loved. But I forgive each of you. You believed in your reasons at the time. I lost a lot of years, but that's okay.

Right now, I am just cherishing the time that I now have, as I feel these are my last years. CJ is a great son, a mix of me and you in perfect harmony. I plan to do the best I can for him and what I can do for little Juliette. They are both precious, and you have given me a clean slate. Thank you.
___

Dear Opal (AKA queenmomma),
I am LOVING my time now with the girls. They are awesome! Though I am discovering they have not been told much of the truth. And my slate is disheveled. I still forgive you. I know I hurt you, and I am sorry.

I just need to somehow get re-conciliated with our son. He's given us two grandchildren now. They will grow up fast.

I won't give up hope. I can't change the past, but I can give a great future.