Hey James,
Just to start, this is Melanie. Your sister. I figured its best to start off with my name, rather than let you find out at the end of the letter, since I know this is a bit of a surprise. It's been a long time since we talked, and I know that's on me. I was angry, convinced you were siding with Vincent, and just didn't want anything to do with either of you. And then when I finally did again, I had no real idea how tos start contacting you again, so I let it be. I never wanted to admit Vincent was right about me, and getting in contact would mean having to admit to it. I shouldn't have dropped out, and I shouldn't have left you two. But the part of me that's still sixteen just hates the idea of letting Vincent know he was right, even two decades later.
I hope you don't mind that I'm writing you. I know it's a shock, and I know you have other things on your mind at the moment. But that's partly why I started writing this letter. I had no idea we were living in the same part of the world until I saw you in the papers. Well, it's not really the same part, but you're a lot closer than I expected you to be. I live in Australia with my two sons. Congratulations with your wife, she looks competent and smart, and you look less goofy than you used to. Also, your family looks beautiful from the few pictures I saw of your girls.
But here's my reason for writing. Your daughters attend Hogwarts in New Zealand, and my son Eric is going to attend the same school next year. This realization was finally the last drop for me to make contact with you, because our worlds were going to collide no matter what. Don't take this to mean that I didn't want to write you anyway, but this finally gave me a reason to stop avoiding it.
I'm not really sure how to say this next part without sounding like a bad mother, or like my son is some sort of horrible kid. He's not, and I would fight anyone who said he was. Eric is a sweetheart and a really caring kid, he just tends to hide it. He reminds me a lot of myself when I was a young teenager, you must remember how I got. Both my sons are aware of the connection between our families, and Eric (my oldest) has always (wrongfully) resented the lack of help/contact we got from my siblings. I have tried to explain to him that I was the one who cut contact and moved away, but he has it in his head that my brothers failed me in some way, ever since I explained why we don't have extended family we visit. He's protective of me, which is pretty sweet but also pretty unnecessary considering he's ten and I still cut the crusts off his sandwiches. Anyway. He might be a bit resentful towards your kids when he goes to school, and he might act on it. I'm not saying this to start some sort of family drama, and I will definitely talk to him before he goes, but Eric has a temper and I'm afraid he will say or do stuff he'll regret. I just want you and Claudia to know I'm not telling him things that aren't true or trying to pit our children against each other. He's not attending Hogwarts until next year, though, so I'm not even sure why I'm writing this now. I suppose the new school year starting has me thinking about next year, which seems alarmingly close all of a sudden.
Actually, I do know why I'm writing this now. Seeing your picture in the paper was really weird, James. In my brain you never grew older, but you clearly did. I know I've been a coward over these past decades, and a stubborn fool, but I would like to meet you again, if you want. It's okay if you don't, but I miss and have missed you for years you even if I didn't want to admit it to myself. A lot has happened for both of us, and I would like to catch up. I can't believe we both have kids that are (almost) Hogwarts age. Time really does fly, I always thought old people were just whiny and complaining about being old when they said things like that. Guess we're the old people now.
I'd prefer you don't mention this to Vincent just yet. Even if you don't reply back, I would like to keep this between us. Please.
Love,
Melanie Holland
