For illustrative purposes only
The Letter That Broke My Heart
At the bottom of the backpack, I found a folded piece of paper.
It looked like Randy had hidden it there.
I unfolded it slowly.
“Dear Mom,
I’m sorry I ruined the Mother’s Day wall.
I know you’re tired and sick, and I caused more trouble.
But I promise I’m not bad.
Love, Randy.”
For a moment, I couldn’t understand what I was reading.
Then realization crashed over me.
“Sarah,” I whispered, “what is this?”
She stared at the floor.
“Ms. Bell made him write it.”
“When?”
Her voice trembled.
“Right before he fell.”
Everything inside me went cold.
Sarah explained through tears that another boy named Tyler had actually damaged the classroom Mother’s Day display.
Randy had only been helping her with glue.
But Ms. Bell blamed him anyway.
“He kept saying, ‘My mom knows I don’t lie,’” Sarah whispered. “But Ms. Bell said even good kids disappoint their mothers sometimes.”
My heart shattered all over again.
My son died believing I might think he was bad.
