Picasso Heart

12 February 2030

Turtle Bay

Manhattan, New York

USA

To my sweet love,

My precious gift, I know you don’t have many words if any and you don’t owe me anything. I don’t blame you for anything you feel when it comes to me. I just need you to know that I did what I did out of love…for you and everyone who needed food. It was for you and your children, and their children also. I hope one day that makes sense to you.

I miss you too much to even express. I think about how big you’ve gotten over the years. By big I mean grown, not weight. I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here, about acceptable social norms and errors of the same. Body shaming is a big problem this side; people get fined and even fired if they’re accused of it. It’s a different world.

Your grandmother told me last month that you’ve been doing exceptionally well at school. Straight As and one B! I think it’s feasible to predict that you’ll be hiring myself and others very soon. I’m so proud of you. I know you’re healthy from the photos your gran sends me often. She offered to give me your number so I contact you directly but I decided against it. Privacy and free will are also principles I’ve learned a lot about here. I don’t want you to feel forced to talk to me and that doesn’t affect my love for you at all. I love you always, my sweet girl. I always want to talk to you and hear your voice, so when/if you’re ready I’ll be here. Always. I ‘ve been saving for your visit here. There’s no place I don’t want to show you. Maybe you can stay for a week or two and then go back. I don’t want you missing your gran and friends too much, homesickness is crazy. So, I love you. I miss you and I’m always thinking about you. Please believe that.

Yours truly,

Dad.

26 February 2030

Turtle Bay

Manhattan, New York

USA

To my sweet love,

Hey sweetheart! So, I found an amazing school for you. Your grandmother tells me you love writing. There are so many institutions here that can help you master that skill and also a very big market. A market is the people for whom you’d write your stories or poems and such. They’d buy your stories right off the shelves, I just know it. Your mother was an exceptional storyteller so I know you got that from her. She had a special way of describing things and I loved listening to her. Her voice was also another thing that made me love her stories. I know you think of her and miss her too. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to walk you through that pain like you needed. The past ten years must have been confusing more than anything else. Gran told me about those girls who gave you a hard time in class last year. I got them expelled. The headteacher became a friend of mine during the national inquiry and all I had to do was ask. Anyway, I’m rambling on.

There’s a big meeting today and I’m nervous. It’s been years at this job but I still get the sweaty hands and lose my appetite. Does that happen with you?

OKAY! WISH ME LUCK! LOVE YOU.

Yours truly,

Dad

12 March 2026

Turtle Bay

Manhattan, New York

USA

To my sweet love,

Hey Sive. How are you baby girl? I miss you terribly today. I had a dream about you and your cousins. You were all playing outside your grandmother’s house; carefree and excited about Christmas. That day was so beautiful. I remember your laughter and your mother’s voice when she called your name. I hope you’re okay. I know you’ve been moving without me this far but if you need anything, I’m a call away. Or a text. Whatever you’re comfortable with my girl.

I’m not sure when you receive these but sleep well, or have a great day. I love you tirelessly.

Love,

Dad

Gcina Street

Sterkstroom, Manzini

Eswatini

1 April 2030

Dear Dad,

I’ve been trying to figure out how to respond to your letters since the first one you wrote. I guess I’ve missed you too but I don’t get why you left me behind. Gran keeps saying it was what was best for me at the time and honestly, I don’t believe it. When you were fighting for the UN and accomplishing the zero-hunger goal, maybe you could’ve done it a different way. Maybe you could’ve excluded the activities that led to your exile. Maybe you could’ve tried harder not to leave me behind.

I love gran but she isn’t you and parents shouldn’t leave their children. Sorry, I promised myself I’d be honest but gran advised me to be respectful as well. I love you and I miss you. I want to visit you but I’m scared of being recognized at the border. Gran says I’m paranoid. I tell her all the time that paranoia has kept us safe thus far.

School is fun. I like writing so much and I want to start a business where I help young people with the same talent. Teach them to harness it and not fear it. I think mom will be proud. Gran says she’s in heaven and I believe that. She was amazing. I remember her voice too from that day.

I’m crying now. Do you cry? I’d like to visit you when schools close, maybe during mid-term break or December. They say you won’t be back, ever. I don’t really care if you come back, as long as you’re not doing anything now that could make the government angry again. I have your number so I’ll finally send you a text. Gran says forgiveness is what will help us to let go of anger and pain. I didn’t want to believe her until I decided to write this letter.

I hope you get it, and I hope you’re safe. I’ll send pictures of the ugly uniform jerseys they’re making us wear lately. Also, how was the meeting you were nervous about last month?

Yours truly,

Your sweet love