My dearest family,

Well, here you have it. By the time you read my words, I’m already dead.

What can I say? I know you’ll pretend to be sad over my death. Mom, I know you’ll walk around crying as though you actually care about me. You can’t fool me, though. I know you’ll just love how all of your friends will call you and wish their condolences. I know that, once the phone stops ringing, you’ll continue on with your life as normal. You’ll hardly even miss me. In fact, I’m sure that you’ll be pleased that I’m gone. No longer will you have to pretend to be a good mother to all of your children. Now, you can just focus on your beloved son. I hope you read this letter and realize how horrible a mother you’ve been to me. All of the unfair treatment, all of the harsh criticisms…I’m a real person, Mom. I’m not some dog you can kick when I don’t do what you want. So I hope you read this letter and cringe every time you think of me, because I’m glad that I can finally be away from you. At least now you can devote all of your time to your dear Jensen. I know he’s your favorite-he’s everyone’s favorite. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

Leonard. When you married my mom, I thought for sure that she would be a little nicer to me. Since she would have someone to be with, I figured she wouldn’t squander her time belittling me. And I was right, to an extent. Instead of her bossing me around and belittling me she just stopped caring. Instead, you took up her old job. You made me feel as though I was committing some kind of crime by merely existing. You made me wish for my dad back, my dear old dad who overdosed just a few months before you made your miserable entrance into my miserable life, because, although he wasn’t the best dad in the world, at least he cared about me. At least he took the time to notice my existence. I certainly hope you realize that you’re just the rebound guy. Mom will move on as soon as you fail to amuse her.

Jensen. I hope you know just how much you hurt me. When we were younger, you were the best friend I ever had. We were twins. We were practically connected at the hip. Then, when we got into high school, everything changed. Your longing to be known caused you to do things to me that I never would have dreamed of doing to you. You hurt me physically and emotionally and made sure that your friends would have nothing to do with me. Never did you reach out to me with a helping hand. You were supposed to be my brother and my friend. Instead, you became the enemy and I hope you live a long life with the knowledge that you are not forgiven. You hurt me deeply, you never apologized, and you are not forgiven.

Delya. I love you, darling. You were the only one who put up with me all of the time. You were the only one who gave me unconditional love and I return that love to you a hundred fold. Keep your big brother in check for me, okay? I love you.

So, save for my dear Delya, you guys are a pathetic excuse for a family. Honestly, I couldn’t care less what happens to the whole lot of you. What you choose to do with this letter is up to you. I’ve said my piece, take it or leave it.

Your darling daughter/sister,

Rosemary Dawes