E-mail to Sarah Pryde

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To: prydeful_s@hotmail.com
From: Madrox, Jamie
Subject: Kitty

Dear Mrs. Pryde,

We don't know each other very well. We've spoken in person once, briefly, when we were both under a good deal of stress, and never since then. I've regretted that, especially now that it means I'm writing you for the first time with what's probably a really obvious ulterior motive, but that's the way things are. I have a few things to say, and because I don't know you very well I don't know how you'll react, but I hope you'll at least hear me out.

First of all, I love your daughter. Love . . . is a lot tougher and scarier than I used to think it would be, before I met her; it's the contradictions, I think. I want Kitty to be safe. I want her to be happy. I want her to have everything she wants, and at the same time I know some of the things she wants might not be good for her. I want her to go out and challenge the world, show everyone all the amazing things I know she can do . . . and I don't want her to get hurt. I want so many things for her, I could empty myself out trying to give them to her, and still fail, because so very many of them aren't things you can just give someone.

And I'm writing to you about one of those things. I want Kitty to have her family. She's been struggling, since your divorce, trying to figure out where she fits now, and it's been very hard on her. I don't blame you for the divorce, or for what Kitty's going through because of it; you had to do what you had to do, and sometimes marriage doesn't work. But I can't even imagine how shattered I would feel if it were my parents. I'm not asking that you even try to give her the family she had before the divorce--only that you give her the family you can be now.

You must want at least as much for Kitty as I do--probably more. I know that the things you want for her don't include me, so it probably comes off ten kinds of selfish for me to say this, but . . . I'm asking you, please, put aside what you want and listen to what she wants. Be the one who bends, because she's too close to breaking. Get to know the young woman she is now--she's changed so much, even in just the few years I've known her--instead of the girl you remember. Let her know that her family is still there for her, however different it might be now, and be patient with her if she doesn't open up right away. I'd like nothing more than for the two of you to work things out, but I think you're going to have to make the first, maybe the second, and maybe a whole bunch of other moves. I hope for Kitty's sake that you're willing to do that. Kitty doesn't need to be told what to do, but she does need her family.

And if, once you have worked things out, you're a little better-disposed toward my part in her life, I hope we can get to know each other better.

Sincerely,
Jamie Madrox

Comments

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To: Madrox, Jamie
From: prydeful_s@hotmail.com
Subject: Kitty

Dear Mr. Madrox,

I have to admit, I don't really know what to say to you. I guess I am glad that you've written, and I know that it is my fault that we've never gotten to know each other.

While I admit that you are not the young man I would chose for my daughter, you have been there for her when I have not, and I thank you for that. I hope that, in tue future, I will be able to be there for her more.

You've given me much to think about, Mr. Madrox, and I will think about it.

Sincerely,
Sarah Pryde