Page 122 of The Oscar Escape
Oscar searched the man’s expression. “Do you think I’m ready now?”
The judge kept his features neutral. “Read your mother’s letter. Read every word.”
Dear Judge Harpswell,
Thank you for suggesting Oscar and I visit Havenmatch Island. I’ll be honest with you. I came here thinking I wanted to escape. Instead, I found my purpose. You’re right. Havenmatch Island is magical.
I’m addressing this letter to you, but it might also be for Oscar, or maybe I’m writing this to myself.
All I know is that life is about to change for my son and me. Mitch agreed to play a more significant role in Oscar’s life, and thanks to spending a week on the island, I decided to start a catering business. I want to call it 1023 Catering. I thought you’d get a kick out of that. But you know what that number means to me.
The trip to Havenmatch Island showed me that now is the time to follow my dreams.
Amidst this change, I have a favor to ask of you.
Keep an eye out for my son.
I’ve done quite a bit of journaling and soul-searching on this trip. I’ve spent hours watching Oscar chase waves and build sandcastles. A feeling has come over me a few times since we arrived. Call it mother’s intuition, or maybe it’s the universe trying to tell me something. It might sound crazy, but I have the feeling Oscar might need your guidance one day—like you guided me.
Let’s hope he doesn’t get into trouble like his mother and father did when they were young, rebellious, and ended up in front of a jowly judge.
Oscar looked up. He smiled at M. Gibson Harpswell, then chuckled.
The man waved him off. “Yes, yes, I know where you’re at. And yes, I’ve always been jowly. Keep reading, kid.”
Oscar returned to the page.
The reason I’m seeking your guidance for my boy is because Oscar has a big heart. He strives for perfection and exhibits an unwavering desire to protect the ones he loves. He can often be single-minded in his pursuits. These are admirable qualities, but you and I know that they have the potential to lead one astray. I also know that there were very few adults I listened to when I was young.
So, I ask you, if your path ever crosses with Oscar’s, and he’s lost his way as I did, let him know that it’s never too late to alter his course. Tell him his goodness will guide the way. Help him understand it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s what we do with the knowledge we glean from our missteps that matters.
When he finds love—and I know he will—encourage him to hold on to it with everything he’s got. Let him know that loving with his whole heart will always show him the way home.
You know me well, Judge. I used to run from the things that scared me the most. Running isn’t always bad. Sometimes, it’s a necessary step in figuring out where we fit in this world.
Oscar was quite upset when it was time for us to leave the island. He was worried he’d forget this place. I assured him he wouldn’t. I told him his memories would live in his heart. And my heart tells me he’ll visit the island again. And when he returns, give him the 1023 treatment for me.
Fondly,
1 0 2 3
Oscar rested the page on his lap, but he didn’t feel relief or a desire to fight. Guilt twisted in his belly. “I don’t know how to alter my course. I’ve lied to Aria. I’ve run from her. I’m still running. And I failed my mom. You know what she wrote. She wanted to give me the world, and I let her die. I knew she wasn’t okay, and I didn’t say anything.” He’d only shared this horrible truth with Aria, but he couldn’t hold back from the judge.
“Life isn’t always fair, kid. Years on the bench taught me that, and you learned that at a young age. But you didn’t fail your mother when you were a little boy.”
“How do you know that for sure?”
“What if you’d had a medical episode while you were with Ivy? Would that have been her fault? Should she have been searching for signs?”
Dammit!No wonder his mom had liked the guy.
“No, it wouldn’t have been her fault,” Oscar admitted.
“Would you want her living her life believing it was? Would you want her basing her most important decisions on that?”
“This is different,” he said under his breath.
The judge reclined in his seat. “You do have a point. You have failed your mom—not as a boy. You’ve failed her as a man.”
