The Correspondent （Continued）
Sybil Van Antwerp
USA
Dear Sybil,
I am terrifically sorry for the long delay in writing.
Thank you very much for sending the documents along regarding our father.
Really, it means a great deal to me to have this information.
You may think it mad, but I spent a bit of time looking for his brother, Eugene.
He was quite a bit younger than Charlie.
It appears he resides in a convalescent home in the north of California and he is ninety years old.
I will tell you a bit about myself, as you have taken the time to do for me, though it’s really rather dull.
I’ve never married and I haven’t any children.
I suppose I devoted my life to my work, my brothers, caring for Mum.
I was in love once, but it didn’t work out.
At some point along the way, in my late thirties I guess it was, I had a moment of regret, but it passed.
I’ve been content. I have deteriorating vision, a condition they say is rare and hereditary and it grieves me because it will put a quicker end to my work.
Reading this over, it seems a bit sad that’s all there is to it!
A quiet life. There’s more, of course, but I’m not exactly sure how, and the vision makes writing such a chore (and writing was always a chore for me).
Would it not be much easier if we talked on the phone?
Would you mind? I also had a thought, and perhaps you would think it mad as well, but I had the thought you could visit.
Perhaps together the boys and I could impart some of the past to you.
I cannot explain why Mum put you up for adoption, but I am sorry, in a way.
Perhaps if we could talk to you about her, and give you bits and pieces of her story, it would help.
It’s not a good time just now, with the dark winter on its way, but why don’t you come in summer?
Consider it. I’d be delighted to host you.
All the very best,
Your sister Hattie