Part 5: The Foundation
The foundation began operating the following spring. Anna joined the board. Major Hayes served as vice chair. Pastor Collins helped create scholarship partnerships with local schools.
Our first awards went to four students: one entering nursing, one enlisting in the Air Force, one studying wildfire management, and one quiet girl from Willow Creek whose father had died when she was eleven.
After the ceremony, she asked why we had chosen her.
“Because you earned the opportunity,” I said.
“People keep saying I’m brave.”
“Are you?”
She thought about it.
“I’m scared.”
“Those things can exist together.”
Dad taught me that. I passed it on.
Mom did not attend. She sent letters accusing the foundation of using Dad’s name to shame her. I did not respond.
Months later, she called.
“I want my family back,” she said.
The sentence could have opened a door.
Then she added, “You need to correct what William said about me.”
“What part?”
“That I intercepted the letters.”
“You did.”
“I was protecting your father.”
“From knowing his daughter loved him?”
Nothing had changed.
“I won’t retract the truth,” I said.
“Then you’ve chosen the town’s admiration over your mother.”
“No. I chose not to lie.”
She hung up.
The old version of me would have called back. I would have explained until my voice failed. I would have offered some smaller falsehood just to keep peace.
This time, I did not.
Dad’s warning stayed with me.
Do not let her fear become your prison.
