Chase Shustack

Your efforts, as well as the hard work and sacrifice of your fellow citizens, have ensured that future generations will be able to continue to grow and prosper in this great nation of ours.

Rest assured that your actions will not go unrewarded.

You and your loved ones can enjoy a new era of peace and prosperity in a nation that is stronger, healthier, and more united than ever.

We wish you nothing but the best and remind you to consider every day to be a gift.

Respectfully, Governor James Blanchard."

This is...real?"

I said, still believing that this was some kind of cruel hoax everyone was pulling on me.

That at any moment, my father would burst into laughter and slap me on the back, ridiculing me about the look on my face.

Instead, he slouched back into his chair with that same teary-eyed look of defeat and exhaustion.

Maybe I kept it as a way to remind me of what happened.

I... listen.

I'm still not sure what this is all about.

Jesus, how come I've never heard of this before?

What are you and Mom...

The ringing of the phone in the kitchen caught me off guard.

My father, who I think was looking for any reason not to continue the painful conversation we were having, quietly left the room to get it.

Yeah, yeah, he's here.

I, no, I understand.

Of course, of course, I'll, yes, yes, I'll tell him right away.

Thank you, thank you.