Tethered Love

by Kimberly Brown

“I fucked up, E. I fucked up and I needed to tell you I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything I’ve put on you. I’m sorry for everything you had to see. I’m sorry I never told you I loved you every single day. You deserved so much more than I could have given you and I’m sorry.” She cried audibly as she picked up a pen and scribbled a note down on a piece of paper. Even if she’d done a horrible thing, she could do something right for many people. “You’re a good boy,” she told Easton as she wrote. “You’ve always been a good boy and I’m so proud of you. You go through life, and you be someone great. Don’t let having me as a mother keep you from growing into a good man.” “Mama—” “Promise me something. Promise me you’ll find you a good woman and make her your wife. Never take her for granted. Always treat her with love and respect. And always love your children. You protect them by any means, do you hear me?”