Only the ticking of Mrs. Parker’s kitchen clock.
Somehow that made it sadder.
She took the letter back.
The second page was different.
Thomas wrote about his life.
His marriage.
His son, Daniel.
His years teaching music.
His wife’s death.
He did not apologize for living his life.
He did not suggest that Mrs. Parker should have waited.
Instead, he wrote something quieter.
“I hope you had a beautiful life too.”
Mrs. Parker smiled when she read it.
“I did,” she whispered.
The final paragraph concerned the song.
Thomas had eventually finished it.
But he had never performed the completed version publicly.
He wanted Mrs. Parker to have it.
Not because he expected anything.
Because some things deserved endings.
The last sentence read:
“You once told me unfinished songs bothered you. I suppose this is my attempt, rather late, to stop bothering you.”
Mrs. Parker laughed.
Then cried.
Owen reached across the table.
