The Last Page

“We’re closed, sir,” Anika said to the tall, dark man who ignored the flipped sign on the door. She was finishing a 10-hour shift at the fast-food joint down the street from her house. “ I can’t believe it’s you,” he said with tears in his eyes. Anika completely froze up. She was waiting for this day. After 18 years of wondering where he was, she was about to find out. “Dad?” she tenderly whispered. “No, Anika, I’m your uncle Sam,” said the mysterious man. For as long as she could remember, the only family Anika had was her mom.

Anika Reynolds worked at the Barley Mow for a year, saving up to attend Toronto University, a dream she shared with her single mother, Felicia. As an only child having nothing to her name other than her mother’s love, she wanted everything life denied her. She would make it out of her neighbourhood and become the role model she wished she had.

Every so often, Anika would ask about her dad. Where was he? Who was he? How did he look? The response was always the same. “What would it change sweetie, he isn’t around, “ her mother would deflect. It wasn’t clear if she was protecting Anika or herself. For years this worked but not tonight. Whether Felicia liked it or not, the questions she was avoiding were finally about to be answered.

“Why are you here? My mom never told me she had a brother.” Anika had so many questions flooding her head. “I’m your father’s brother; we’ve been looking for you,” her uncle said. How could it take them 20 years to find her, and why now? Why didn’t he come himself? This moment is not how she pictured their reunion to happen. One second she was thankful. The next, she was numb.

“Anika, we need to talk. Can we sit down?” Fear and anger kicked in, and Anika realized she was not ready to hear anything about the man who left her when she was young. ”It’s late, and my mom is expecting me. I think I should be going,” Anika said, fighting back the tears. If there was ever a time, she needed her mother most; it was now. She couldn’t help but think her mother was right. What would it change?

“I’ll let you get going. Just promise me you’ll read this.” Sam left a small black notebook on the counter, looked into her eyes and walked out the door. Anika’s heart sank. Tonight was her one shot at hearing the answers to every question she had about her dad, and she let it slip away. She picked up the notebook and wrapped her arms around it as if it were her father. Anika was not going to wait for another second to find out what all of this meant. The first page read:

My dear daughter,

The problem with time is that one day it stops. It couldn’t wait for me any longer. I can feel it ending, like these words. There were many things I couldn’t give to you, but now I’m leaving you everything. Look on the last page of this notebook for the passcode to my safe. There you will find $20,000 and the paperwork for my businesses.

I love you,

Dad

With tears down her face, Anika flipped the pages to the back of the book. There was nothing. Not a word. She shook the notebook to see if anything would come out. Something was missing. The back page looked ripped.

Anika went home and showed her mother the notebook. “Who gave this to you?” Felicia said with fear in her eyes. “Uncle Sam,” Anika replied. “Uncle Sam? Your father only had a sister.” Felicia looked at her daughter with hesitation in her eyes. She went to her room and brought a box of unopened envelopes addressed to Anika. Felicia handed a letter to Anika. “This was the last letter your father sent you, ” she said.

Up until this day, Anika thought her dad abandoned their family. Was there anyone she could trust? A fake uncle and now a lying mother? Things couldn’t get any worse. Anika put her emotions to the side and opened the letter sent two weeks ago.

Dear Anika,

The last lessons I have to share are about knowing who to trust and trusting the timing of your life.

1. I’m sure your mother is still angry with me, and you might not receive my letters at first, but she will do the right thing in due time.

2. I gave a small black notebook for my business partner to provide you with if I don’t beat cancer. The catch is the passcode on the back page is fake. The real passcode is the numbers of your birthday.

What is meant for you will always find you.

Love,

Dad.