Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit
Cincinnati, OH – 1933I find paper and a pencil in Uncle Hendrick’s library and write him a letter, thanking him for the invitation but explaining I’ve decided to go home. I don’t want to forge Lulu’s name, so I sign it “Your Visitor.”
I also write Kit a note, so she knows I care:
Dear Kit,
I stayed at Uncle Hendrick’s because I thought it was best for you and your family, not because I didn’t want to stay with you. I did!
Now I’m going home, but I couldn’t leave without thanking you for being my friend and changing how I see everything, including myself.
Your friend forever,
Me
P.S. I know Buddy will be happy with you and Grace. Thank you for taking care of him.
I fold the note, write Uncle Hendrick, please give this to Kit on the outside, and click the camera.
At home, I think about how sometimes you have to let go of someone you love, then open my laptop and start my essay.
When Mom gets home late, she apologizes. Usually I’d sulk about being bored and lonely, but I’ve learned from Kit not to be selfish, so I tell her it’s okay.
Mom looks pleased and surprised. I hug her, tell her I appreciate how hard she works, and, remembering how Kit helped her mother run the boardinghouse, ask to see her lab sometime.
A slow smile spreads across Mom’s face. She’d love to show me around, and once school starts, I could visit her office on Fridays before dinner so we could spend more time together. A smile spreads across my face.
Then, Mom says it’s time for mint tea and a good talk, so I can tell her everything I did today.
I chuckle. Mom won’t believe how interesting today was.