Letter of Apology

By Mary Egan Campbell

My dearest Agnes,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. I also trust that you have had ample time to cool down after our last encounter, given that we have not spoken in more than two weeks. Not being one to hold a grudge and unaccustomed as I am to being in the wrong, I will nevertheless take this opportunity to set some matters straight, bury the hatchet so to speak.

Being the eldest, it is my duty to inform you of your failings and keep you on the right path and that is something you will never understand, being of lesser age and standing in the family, but I must own my part in our recent disagreement, if only to show you the error of your ways and prevent future misunderstandings. Humility is a burden and a gift I carry not lightly and you would do well to follow my example. Just as I must lead by example and offer you the hand of peace in the interest of continuation of service.

Being unable to rise from my bed is a burden the Lord Himself has decreed I must bear and so too, it is your duty as younger sibling to carry the cross of caring for me in my time of need. Furthermore I firmly believe washing and dressing is a basic human right and not yours to withhold. Your abdication of this duty on the grounds of my ill temper, while justifiable in your conscience, is not really in keeping with God’s teachings, which dictate that you must love thine enemy and so forth.

Since we are family and not enemies in the fullest sense of the word, I am sure that once you have received this olive branch I have slipped under your door, at great difficulty I might add, given my infirm state and declining years, you will be obliged to reopen the lines of communication with me herewith. Furthermore I shall expect a return gesture with as much equanimity as I have shown here. Having said my piece, I do trust that normal service will return and I can expect a little more courtesy when you are serving my tea. Oh and no more skimping on treats and desserts. That was a low blow my dear, even for you.

I look forward to a more pleasant countenance on your return and not the resting bitch face, I believe it is called, which you have presented me with these past weeks. Depositing my food at the door is undignified even for you. Just think how lovely it will be once normal service has resumed and we can be sisters again. Such un-ladylike and un-Godly behaviour doesn’t suit you and I’m sure these last few weeks have been difficult for you too. It feels so good to be the one to mend things between us, and you are very welcome, but it would serve you well to try it sometime.

Yours fondly,

Elenora.

• Mary Egan Campbell is a member of Inklings Writing Group, who meet on Tuesdays at 11am in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar. Aspiring and fun writers welcome and all genres catered for, including the art of writing an apology letter.