When she read the letter she went into shock. Did she realize it was her son who had gunned down May-Rose’s three daughters? We sympathize, and so on.
Something had gone wrong surely. They must have contacted the wrong person. She had no children, let alone a son and three daughters. In fact, she had only been engaged to Ivan two weeks earlier. The wedding was a year away. After that they might think of settling down and starting a family.
Then May-Rose noticed something. The date on the letter was twenty-five years ahead. It read “6 July 2048”. Was this a misprint or a simple typo? Was it all meant as a joke?
There was a phone number in the letter. If she wanted to know more... If she had any queries... May-Rose dialled the number. A recorded message proclaimed: Your phone’s software is outdated. We are unable to help.
May-Rose phoned Fiancé Ivan. Yes, he said, without needing to even say “Hello”. I’m absolutely grief-stricken. Our three beautiful daughters... And Tobias arrested for their murder. Are you able to come home quickly from Eritrea? Should I go ahead with the funeral?
May-Rose knew she wasn’t in Eritrea. She was in Geneva, New York. She wouldn’t even know where Eritrea was on the map. “It’s all a hoax”, thought May-Rose. “It’s a trick.” She screwed up the letter and threw it in the trash.
Nothing calms the nerves more than a long shower. May-Rose went to the bathroom. When she looked at herself in the mirror, oh…
Oh goodness me! Oh no! Oh goodness me!
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