I believe that living with the Deckers is something that your father might approve of, and hence, leave you there. I have cast an incredible responsibility onto the Deckers and I hope they don’t despise me for it, but they are the only people to whom I could entrust my jewel. Please try not to hate me, as I’m sure you do. Just know that I love you more than anyone in the world and my heart aches to write this and to be separated from you. But I feel that circumstances have placed you with a family that will finally give you a shot at the life you deserve. Even a selfish fool like your mother realizes that you merit your chance to shine.

I know that you are in contact with your father. I know that you will call him as soon as you receive this packet. Please give him these papers. They will allow him to run his business until our sordid mess can be straightened out.

With all my love,

Mom

Wordlessly and with trembling fingers, he handed the letter to Decker. Then he lay back on the couch, his glasses still perched on his nose, staring at the ceiling. When Decker finished the letter, he handed it to Rina. Then he said, “I’d like to have a handwriting expert go over it with some of your mother’s known samples—”

“It’s her handwriting.”

“Just in case. You never know.”

“It’s her handwriting. More than that, it sounds like her. That’s one of her favorite expressions—‘sordid mess.’”

“Your father probably knows her favorite expressions as well.”

“It’s not my father writing for my mother. It’s my mother. Face facts. She dumped me and she dumped me here. Sorry.”

Rina sat beside him. “I already rented the piano, so you might as well stay.”

Gabe gave her the briefest of smiles, but then his eyes watered up. “Thanks.” He rubbed them furiously. “I should tell my dad about this. Chris called me yesterday. I would have told you sooner, but you haven’t been home.”

The teakettle started to whistle. Rina stood up. “I’ll get it. Do you want some tea, Gabe?”

“I’m okay, thanks.”

“Take some anyway.”

Gabe nodded. After Rina left the room, he said, “I’m glad my mom’s alive, but fuck her. Fuck the both of them. They don’t give a shit about me. Why should I give a shit about them? The only thing I feel bad about is you being stuck with me.” He looked at Decker with moist eyes. “I really can go live with my aunt.”

“You’re staying here. We’ll work out the details. How’s your hand, by the way?”

“It’s fine. This, too, shall pass.”