Jeremy's hands were shaking, his heart racing as he grasped the letter. Slowly, deliberately, he ran his fingers across the pen strokes that had been placed there so many years ago. He had recognized the handwriting immediately. "Jeremy" was all that had been written on the yellowed evelope. It was the contents that both excited and frightened the young man.
Jeremy was sitting alone at Lottie's. Earlier in the day, she had asked that he stop by around closing time; Jeremy figured it had something to do with the fact that today was his birthday. The youngest Bolt was left speechless after Lottie presented him with the letter. The older woman kissed his forehead. "She loved you, Jeremy," Lottie whispered with a sad sort of smile. After a quick tousle of his hair, she said, "Lock up for me," placed the keys on the table, turned and went upstairs.
With tender care, Jeremy opened the envelope. He held his breath as he began to read.
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My dearest Jeremy, |
Tears began to stream down Jeremy's face. He stood and paced around the room. The letter was filling him with a jumble of emotions. As he leaned against the bar, he blinked his eyes a few times. It was then that Jeremy noticed the watermarks on the paper. Momma, she had been crying when she wrote this, he thought bringing the letter to his chest, nearest his heart. Jeremy took a deep breath and continued.
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Trust your father's judgement. He is a wise and caring man, he loves you so. And Jeremy, listen to your brothers. Jason and Joshua may annoy you at times, but they will be your greatest source of strength. Believe in your heart, and you will grow to be a fair and compassionate man. My dear son, when you find that special girl, the girl that you'll want to spend the rest of your life with, you'll feel it in the depths of your soul. |
"Oh, Momma,I love you, too," Jeremy said softly. As the tears cascaded down his cheeks, Jeremy could not move, his head was spinning. Finally, gaining some composure, Jeremy quietly turned and left the saloon. After locking up, with the keys tucked safely in his pocket, he wandered over to the grassy area behind the church. There was a full moon and the headstone bearing his mother's name was illuminated brightly. Slowly, he sat down on the ground facing the gravesone. "Momma, w-where have all the years gone? It has been so long since I was able to see you...hear you," he sighed aloud as he gently touched the carved letters. He closed his eyes for a moment and could almost feel her smiling face looking back at him. "I'll never forget you," he whispered.
How long he sat there he did not know, but the birds were beginning to chirp when he entered the cabin. Sleep was not his plan, though. He knew his brothers had spent the night at the camp. After lighting a lamp, Jeremy sat to again read the letter, the greatest birthday gift he could have ever received.