“I agree.”
Something changed in Elena’s expression.
Chloe turned toward one of her sisters.
“Can you bring me the blue box?”
Her sister nodded.Plan Family Trips
Elena frowned.
“What blue box?”
Chloe didn’t answer.
The box had been hidden beneath the gift table all evening.
She had brought it because she knew there was a chance this might happen.
Not necessarily during a speech.
But eventually.
Her sister placed it in front of her.
Chloe opened the lid.
Inside were letters.
Dozens.
Some in children’s handwriting.
Some written by their father.
Some still sealed.
Many stamped:
RETURN TO SENDER.
Chloe picked up the first one.
“This was mine.”
She held it up.
“I was eight.”
Elena stared.
“I drew you a picture of our house.”
Chloe pulled out a folded page.
Six stick-figure girls.
One tall man.
One woman standing far away beneath a yellow sun.
