Heading 1
Concerning the Gold Fountain Pen Sent to Me by My Father on My Twenty-first Birthday with a Note Congratulating Me on My New Independence
Daddy: I am returning the pen you sent and with it all affiliated responsibilities. I don't want to sign my own checks, leases, legal documents. I don't want to graduate this June. I don't want to get a job. I don't mind being declared a dependent. It does not make me feel inferior.
I am really quite happy with my life as it is now and I think it would be foolish to make any unnecessary changes. I do appreciate, however, your feeling of confidence in me and your faith that I am capable of taking on these new responsibilities; and I do not mean to imply that you were mistaken about me. I simply want to explain that I think you are being a bit hasty in your judgement. There is no need to rush the future; it will come soon enough.
Nor do I wish you to be offended by the fact that I am returning the pen. This gesture is not meant to imply that you are in any way inadequate as a father or were unsuccessful at preparing me for my adult life. On the contrary, you have been an ideal father and consequently I am very happy to continue with our usual relationship.
Love, as always, your little girl
