THE SECRET
Walter had been the chief flight instructor at the airline where Terrence’s mother worked.
Years earlier, he discovered that several senior executives were falsifying maintenance records and diverting company money.
His wife discovered the same thing.
She planned to expose them.
But before she could, she died.
The official cause had been listed as an accidental overdose caused by prescription medication.
Terrence had never believed the report.
Neither had Walter.
But Walter had been afraid.
He was afraid that if he told Terrence what he suspected, the same people would come after him.
So he remained silent.
Terrence interpreted that silence as betrayal.
And their relationship collapsed.
“I thought you abandoned her,” Terrence whispered.
Walter’s eyes filled with tears.
“I thought I was protecting you.”
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
“You should have trusted me.”
“I know.”
Terrence looked away.
Eight years of anger were suddenly standing in the room between them.
Then Walter reached into his coat.
He pulled out a small envelope.
“I kept this for you.”
Terrence stared at it.
“What is it?”
“Your mother’s letter.”
Terrence’s hands began shaking.
“She wrote it the night before she died.”
