Dear Dad,

In case you’re wondering, no, I’m not holding a grudge. You probably had your reasons for leaving, whatever they were. My mother said I look just like you but I wouldn’t know because I’ve never even seen a photo. I guess you’re where I got my temper, my arrogance, and my love for liquor. It would’ve been cool to know you as a grown up; you could have shown me how to be a man. Instead the streets and prison did, and now I’m scared to raise kids of my own because I don’t want them to turn out like I have.

Sincerely yours,
The son you never took the time to know, age 28