Eleanor continued.
"I could be wrong. I've been wrong about love before, as Margaret could certainly tell you."
"But whatever name you give your feelings, please know that you made my last months happier than I thought they could be."
"I should have told you about Margaret. I should have helped your family when I had the chance. I cannot undo either failure."
"When you gave me that ridiculous candy ring, I wanted to believe I had all the time in the world. I didn't."
"You do."
I wiped my face and kept reading.
"I hope one day you find a woman who sees everything wonderful in you and has the years ahead to share a life with you. Someone you can grow old beside."
"And please tell Margaret I loved her. I never stopped."
I folded the letter.
For a while, I was angry.
She'd worn that gummy ring.
