It was early morning when David walked alone through Trinity's campus. The trees were just beginning to shed their leaves, gold and orange fluttering down like whispers of a season passing.
His scholarship had one requirement left—an exit thesis presentation before a distinguished panel.
He was ready.
But before that, he needed to write something else.
Back at Melissa's apartment, while she slept tangled in sheets and the early sun painted her bare back, David opened his laptop and began a letter.
Not an academic paper.
A letter to his mother.
Dear Mama,
You once said that no matter where I went, I would carry your teachings in my chest like a second heartbeat.
You were right.
Ireland was colder than I expected, and the people smiled with their mouths more than their eyes—but here, I found something that made me warmer than I ever thought possible.
Her name is Melissa.
She is complicated, brilliant, wild and wise. She carries pain with style and love with fire. She challenged me. She needed saving. Then she saved me, too, in a thousand small ways.
We're building something here. Together.
And Mama—I want to bring her home to you.
Not just to see Nigeria. But to belong.
I'll never forget the dust roads you walked to teach, the coins you saved in a jar to send me abroad. Every step I take here is stitched with your sacrifices.
I'm writing this because I want you to know that soon, I'll be coming home. Not alone. Not ashamed.
With her.
And when I do, I'll show you what love can build.
Your son always,
David
He clicked "send" and watched the message fly.
Then he turned to watch Melissa stir in the bed, her hair fanned across the pillow like spilled ink, her breath deep and steady.
And he knew, without question—
Whatever came next, they'd face it together….or….would they?.