Cassie’s life was excellent. Married to the love of her life and bestowed with a lovely boy, she felt as if she had the entire world in her hands. The only thing that left a vacuum in her heart was her father’s death when she was only fourteen. Every now and then, she thought about her father and the wonderful times she had enjoyed with him. Unfortunately, one day, her father left on a business trip, as he regularly did, and never returned.
Cassie’s mother informed her that she received a call from emergency services informing her that her husband had died, and that was the only explanation Cassie ever heard. She wasn’t even able to see him one final time because her mother said it was always her father’s preference for his body to be burned rather than buried.Cassie didn’t want to make things difficult for her mother, so she didn’t ask questions. She agreed with her mother’s decision to disperse his ashes on the seashore during a moving ceremony commemorating his life.
However, as time went, she learned to cope with the grief that accompanied his unexpected death.Cassie was there for her mother, and the two went on with their lives, always remembering how happy they were before the tragedy occurred. Years passed, and Cassie married and had a son. She and her family opted to spend the weekend in a wooden cottage in the highlands. Cassie relished the opportunity to spend a few days alone with her husband and son, as it was a welcome respite from city life and the frantic schedule.
Meanwhile, she requested her mother to keep an eye on their dog, whom they had left at home, and her mother appeared more than willing to help.The weekend was an enjoyable experience. Cassie and her family went home, feeling energized, but what they saw surprised them. The dog was missing, and Cassie’s mother appeared to have left their home entirely. Cassie found a note on the table under the remote control that said, “Watch this, Cassie.” I apologize. — Mom.
The message terrified her. What did her mother have in mind for her? Cassie turned on the television, eager to find out what was going on, and she recognized a voice she hadn’t heard in years. The man on the tape was visibly older than she remembered, but he was unmistakably her father. Cassie found after all these years that her father was still alive. She was overwhelmed and went on an emotional rollercoaster, struggling to keep tears from falling down her cheeks.My beloved Cassie, I’m still alive. I am deeply sorry for the anguish you may have felt as a result of my loss.
But it was necessary. I needed to be removed from your life because of the dark truths of my past. Your mother knows everything; please ask her for the truth. My health is steadily deteriorating, and I would love to see you and explain everything. Love you, Dad.
Cassie grabbed her pursuer and ran to her mother’s house without alerting her husband. When her mother opened the door, she added, “I bet you have a lot of questions for me.” Cassie stated that she did have questions and requested an explanation. Cassie’s mother eventually told her the truth about her father. It turned out that he lived a second life, with another family in a distant city. That was the explanation for his “business trips” that lasted days. When Cassie’s mother found out and questioned him, he told her that he wanted to continue living with that other family, so they both felt it was best to tell Cassie he was dead.
He agreed not to contact Cassie or her mother, but now that he was seriously ill and his health was failing, he felt compelled to meet Cassie. Cassie made the decision to visit her father after much deliberation. She spent some time with him and observed him struggling with his sickness. She even urged her spouse to bring their son to see her father. It was as if he had never left, however Cassie had a difficult time forgiving him for abandoning her. Cassie’s father died within a few weeks. Her heart was broken again, but she was relieved he contacted her. Finally, after the dust had settled, she pondered if she had the strength to forgive her mother for lying to her for so long.