June 28, 1859

Dear Lucy,

My, you are in quite a predicament, aren’t you?  Well, I know the falls that you are talking about.  They are quite lovely, aren’t they?  But be careful.  They are dangerous.  I cannot explain further, but I hope that you will soon forget them.  For good.  Do not go back to them, if you can.  If you can’t stay away, I don’t blame you.  Just try your best.

And about the MacJohns, I shall have to try something else.  More than Father Ryan.  I was foolish to send just him.  I apologize deeply.

I must ask you a few questions.  Okay, well, more than a few.  How tall are you?  How many inches around is your waist?  Do the MacJohns ever buy you new clothes?  Do you know how much you weigh?  These are very important questions, dear, so do not forget to answer them.

Do you want me to tell you a tale?  About your grandmother, I mean.  You told me that your head is always in the clouds, and this might help to bring you down to Earth.  I told this to your father when he had the same problem.  And many other young people.  It always works.

I do not wish to wait for an answer, so I will tell you anyway.  I will stop where people always have questions.  But you have to promise me that you will write about what happens in your life after you ask your questions.  Promise?  Of course you do.

Well, when your grandmother was about your age, maybe a few years younger, she had an uncle who was a magician in a circus.  He could make coins appear out of ears, doves appear from under a handkerchief, you name it.  And one day he just disappeared.

When he disappeared, your great-grandfather, his brother, was stricken with grief.  He made it his duty to search him out and find him.  He brought Julia along with him, and during that time he taught your grandmother everything she knew, especially magic, for her uncle had taught her father as well.

They were traveling for a long time.  One day they met another magician that went by the name of Thomas Shoenbornerson.  Yes, Shoenbornerson.  He was tall with dark hair and bright blue eyes.  Only sixteen, too, and already making a living for himself.  A fine boy.  Your great-grandfather liked him enough to ask him to travel with them.  Thomas said yes, and together they traveled, following Julia’s uncle’s trail as best as they could.

It was a path of many hardships, tears, and pain.  Not many people can go through that kind of suffering without going insane in the process, but somehow they preserved.

I will stop there for now.

Truly honestly, Safiya