Page 70 of Lucas & Melissa Falling in Love
Part Three - Melissa
Chapter 24
Modena, Italy
Dear Mom and Dad,
I wanted to let you know I’m in Italy. I would have called but I’m writing to you to explain everything so you won’t worry about me. I’m fine.
Lucas’s father had a heart attack and so we left in a hurry, but he’s okay now. About Lucas, it turns out he is Lucas Fierro of the Fierro Motor Company. Who knew? Not me. I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you—I just found out and it was just as much a shock to me as I’m sure it is for you.
I’m having a nice visit with his family. They’re warm and welcoming and you would like them. Lucas is going to work with his father in the family company now. But don’t worry—I’m coming back to New York soon. I’ll be starting my new job at the bank so I’ll be back on my feet in no time.
Lucas will be working part of the time in New York too, opening up a new Fierro office there.
I know you’re wondering, so I’ll tell you. No, Lucas and I will not be living together, we’re not engaged. We’re not that serious. Not that he isn’t wonderful, and I do care for him a lot, but I can’t think about a serious commitment right now.
I need to focus on being independent, to stand on my own two feet, to get my life back on track so that I’m not a homeless, jobless pauper anymore. (half kidding—it’s not that dire—don’t worry!)
I know you understand how much I value my independence. You taught me well.
I’ll be staying with Margo and George only as long as I need to. They’ve been wonderful, of course—you know Margo. But I can’t stand feeling like an imposer so I’ll be moving out as soon as I get my first paycheck from the bank. (And before you even think about it, don’t bother offering me money because I will not take a dime from you. You’ve already done so much for me, raising me and taking care of me.)
You can be the first visitors to my new place as soon as I get it, though it won’t be a doorman apartment as nice as my last one. Not yet.
I’ll call you when I get back.
Love always,
Melissa
It had been a long time since I wrote a letter to my parents. Not since college, almost six years ago, and it makes me feel like a little girl again. Which blows big time, but it had to be done.
It’s a good thing I mailed the letter at the airport in Venice before I had time to think about it.
But I couldn’t say it all in a phone call. I don’t want to get into too much of a discussion because they’ll start worrying. All I want to do is let them know what’s going on, give them bare-bones information, and reassure them that I have everything under control.
Even if I’m not so sure myself.
Even if my heart aches with longing every time I think about Lucas, even now as he holds me in his arms.
Even though I sweat every time I think about my nonexistent bank account.
And even though, as I contemplate the letter I wrote to my parents, knowing they adopted me and love me, but also knowing that they are not my birth parents, and that I have no idea who my birth parents are,I feel sick.
