Not because I expected him to become a criminal.
Because I learned long ago that when a man tests a locked door and discovers it opens, he rarely stops trying doors.
I stopped reading.
My father had known.
Not everything.
But enough.
The letter continued.
You may be angry that I did not tell you.
You are entitled to that anger.
But if I am gone when you read this, I ask one thing.
Do not confuse forgiveness with access.
You may forgive someone and still lock the door.
You may love someone and still leave.
You may grieve the person you thought they were without returning to the person they proved themselves to be.
And Claire—
if you have a child when you read this, remember something I learned too late with you:
Children do not need rich parents.
They do not need powerful parents.
They need parents who answer when they call.
