A Letter to Nia

The silence was deafening as the boxes were loaded into the moving truck. Twenty-five years of marriage were over. My mom, Laura, stood motionless in the front room staring out the window as the movers carried boxes and furniture out of the house she shared with my dad for most of her life. They were married right after high school, both at 18 years old. She was the only child. Her mom passed away her senior year of high school and left everything to her. She never knew her dad. He left when she was three years old. Once she graduated high school, her and dad got married and lived in a house that together. My dad was always a loner and never talked about his family. I always had questions, but never pushed it.

My sister Maya and I were moving across town and my mom was packing up to move to Dallas, Texas for a new beginning. My mom was a workaholic and was never home with us. It was always me, my sis, and my dad. Sometimes I felt like I didn’t even know her. Work was so important to her. She was all about climbing the corporate ladder. So, my sister and I were bonded closely with my dad, me and him especially. I think my mom resented us for that, but she never said it.

Now, this man, that we all loved in different ways was gone.

Cancer. We never saw it coming. He was active and vibrant. He made our hearts smile and made each of us feel like we had our own special relationship. He kept us all connected. He was the glue. Now, with him gone, that glue was missing.

Everything was packed in the house, but a few items.

“Nia, make sure you walk around the rooms to see if the movers forgot anything,” my mom yelled.

I went to my old room and saw a tattered bear in the corner. My mom bought it for me when I was four. It was a black bear. Now, the color was faded. It looked grayer than black. The stitching was loose. One eye was missing. I never threw it away as bad as it looked. I just quickly stuffed Baldie in my backpack that I had been carrying around.

Then, I walked to my dad's office. I took in a deep breath. I could smell his cologne. I could feel his presence there. As I walked to his old desk, which was still in the room. I brushed my hand across the top. I could still see him sitting there. I opened the top drawer to see if anything was left. As I opened it, I saw a little black book. It had my dad's name inscribed on the black leather, Thomas Angelo.

I grabbed it and was going to give it to my mom, buts omething about this little black book felt like a sign from my dad. I would always notice him looking in the book and quickly putting it away once we walked in. As I opened the notebook, a seal envelope dropped out. It was addressed to me in my Dad's handwriting. I opened it nervously and read.

Dear Nia,

If you're reading this, I'm no longer here. Cancer was not good to us. I know it's hard for you guys, but I know you will be the one to hold everything together. You are like me in that way. First, I want you to know that I loved you and I did the best I could to raise you and your sister to be extraordinary, down to earth individuals. Also, I loved your mother. She was my best friend. I need you to make sure she is okay. With that said, I have a secret that I've never shared with your mother. My dad was a powerful man in Dallas, but he was also very mean and abusive to the point where he beat my mother to death.

After she died, I ran away from home. I was about 14. I moved to Chicago with an aunt who passed away right before I graduated high school. However, when my dad passed away, he left me an inheritance of over $12.5 million dollars. I never wanted anything to do with that man, but now that I'm gone, I feel it's right that you, your sister, and your mom are taken care of.

You've always asked me about my past, but I never wanted to open up about it. So, now, I'm putting you in charge of my legacy and my inheritance. I'm sorry I never shared this with you all, but my dad hurt me so much and it was hard looking in the mirror, constantly seeing his face as well as being named after him.

Included in this letter are account numbers and the bank. I left you in charge. I don't know how you will do it, but I trust you. Use the money to take care of your mom and sister. Also, use it to follow your dreams. You spent the last few years taking care of me. I now want you to live your life. I'm sorry to place this burden on you, but I know you will know what to do.

Love you pumpkin,

Dad

As I closed the little black book, I stood astonished at what I read. Tears were falling down my face. I feel like I just saw my father for the first time.

"Nia, are you ready?" my mom yelled.

"I'm coming mom. There's nothing else up here."

I placed the little black book in the front pocket of my hoodie. I wiped the tears from my face and took a deep breath. I don't know what I'm about to do next, but this is going to be a new beginning for us all.