I gently rip open the envelope and pull out the folded papers. Nina gives me a small smile along with a nod telling me to go on. I unfold the letter with my trembling hands.  I take a deep slow breath and start to read aloud.

            "My dearest Rose, what I have done is unforgivable but I ask you for your forgiveness. I am so sorry for leaving you. I'm sure your father has not told you what drove me to leave. You were too young for me to tell you then but you're old enough now. You're almost eighteen and I wish I could have seen you grow up into the beautiful young lady you are now. Your father and I were very young when we had you but I want you to know we wanted you more than anything when we found out I was pregnant with you. When we had you everything was perfect. Your father had just gotten promoted and was making himself known. Me, I had taken leave from work to take care of you which I was more than happy to do. You had become my heart and joy. But then your father started coming home less and less. He always blamed it on work but after a while, I started to have my suspicions. Sadly you weren't ever able to meet his mother because she died while I was pregnant with you but she was a wonderful woman. After she had died your father had inherited all her money which made him change." I pause to take a shaky breath.

            "When we had you things went back to normal but after a while, they went back to what they were before. Soon after he had changed I found out the reason why. He was having an affair. When I found out I confronted him about it and told him to end it with her. He promised me he would but he never did. He was never home and never spent time with you. It felt like he had forgotten about you and I. The morning I left was when I couldn't take it anymore. He told me horrible and hurtful things that morning. When I left I told him I'd come back to get you. The next day I came back when you were at school but your father told me to leave or he'd call the cops and put me in jail for life. I would write you letters and send them to the house. When you never responded I figured your father was hiding them from you. I tried for years but eventually gave up because I lost hope. It wasn't until recently that I decided to try again. I thought maybe if I sent it to my mother's house your father wouldn't get it before you. With all my heart I hope you get this and pray you respond. I'd love to hear from you. To find out what's going with you and my mother.  I have so many questions and I'm sure you have a lot for me too. Call me. I'd love to hear your voice. Love your very hopeful and very sorry mother." I look up at Nina silent tears running down my cheeks.

            "Oh, Rose." She wipes away my tears and gives me a hug. I nuzzle my head into her neck.

            "She also gave me her number. I think I want to call her some time." Nina hands me a tissue to blow my nose.

            "I believe that's a great idea. When do you want to call her?"

            "More than likely tomorrow. Thank you, Nina, I really appreciate it."

            "I'm always here for you. You know that." We hug each other goodbye and I drive home. In the car, I pull the letter back out before going into my house. What I need right now is a nice shower along with some time to think. The letter also came with a sketch my mom drew of her holding me when I was a baby. She was always such a great artist. I'm happy she hasn't stopped drawing. When I get into my room I pin the picture on my wall of photos of friends and family. After my nice long shower, I crawl into bed. I'm too tired to think. For now, I'll just sleep. Tomorrow I'll figure out what to do.