Work Text:
To my most precious Penelope:
If you are reading this, it means I am no longer with you. The burglars raided the safe, and then drove us to the Badlands of South Dakota. They told us if we ever returned to Chicago, it would be the last thing we ever did. I made the mistake of defying this warning. My wishes for you are but five. Firstly, I wish you to live with a caring guardian. Secondly, I wish for you to have the best friends a girl can have. Thirdly, I wish for you to be strong and have a successful career. Fourthly, I wish for you to have a fun childhood. Fifthly, and most importantly, I wish you will not leave this earth in the way I did.
Sincerely Yours,
Your Dear Mother
--words I am reading for the first time. I am proud to report that the first four of my mother’s wishes have been fulfilled. My guardian managed to carry himself into my college years, but passed on the eve of my graduation. I can say that throughout my years I have had three good friends. I thought I had four, but one’s wealth earned her a ‘sistership’ and we never heard from her again. At my current age of 35 the restaurant chain I founded has become among the leading venues in the Midwest, though I have personally returned to my true name as seen above. Obviously, anyone can vouch for me in regard to the fourth of her wishes. However, I can never tell how I will pass and so I can never know if the fifth wish will be fulfilled. I am glad though to at last have closure in regard to the tragedy of my youth and I only hope I can continue to make my mother proud as she watches me from above.
My only wish is that I could have said goodbye.