speculative portrait

A Community Writing Collaboration

Tumbleweed Found’s antique portraits come to life from the depths of imagination and out into the written word by Professor Micah Perks and three writers from her Spring Advanced Fiction Class, UCSC; Emily Pineda, Hailey Phipps and Melissa Low.

This last writing is by Melissa Low.

Dear Mama,

I’m sorry I haven’t written back in a while. I’m working hard at the factory every day, but I know what you would say. No excuses, you can always make time for the people you love. June’s been taking good care of me, she’s memorized all of your recipes, and I’ve been taking good care of her, don’t you worry. Been working hard enough that my hands are rough like Pa’s used to be. I sent a photograph of me in Pa’s suit. I know you know what it looks like, you tailored it after all, but I thought you might like to show Pa. I want him to see the man I’ve become, I hope I’m making him proud. When I got the photograph taken, I couldn’t believe how much I looked like him. I look at those eyes staring at me in the photograph and they look like Pa’s tired eyes. June rubs one of her concoctions into my hands every night to heal them but they still look like his. When I wear his suit jacket, it feels like when he would clap me on the back. I knew that was his way of saying I love you, that he was proud of me. I know, Mama. I’m gonna make you cry. I miss him and I wish he could see that I’m trying to live a good life like him. If he were here, he’d probably joke, “I’d hope a longer life too,” and you’d whack his shoulder like he said something sacrilege. Me and June pray for you both on Sundays. I know y’all want grandchildren and believe me, we want to pass on the Taylor name, but I still feel my heart racing like a school boy seeing her smile every day, Mama. I’m working hard from when the sun rises till when the stars start peaking through the sky for all of you. I hope the Lord is keeping you. We’ll visit y’all soon and bring some flowers for Pa.

Love,
Your son, Thomas Taylor