Old.
I pulled it out of the ground and wiped away the mud.
For a moment I just stared at it.
Then I opened it.
Inside were photographs.
Old ones.
At the top was a picture of a young man in a hospital room holding a newborn baby.
When I looked closer, my breath caught.
Because the baby in his arms…
was me.
Under the photograph was a hospital bracelet with my name on it.
And another letter.
My hands shook as I opened it.
“My darling Tanya,
If you’ve found this box, it means I never had the courage to tell you the truth while I was alive.
I am your father.
When you were born, your mother’s family pushed me out of your life. They believed I would only bring trouble.
Years later I found out where you lived. I moved next door so I could at least watch you grow up.
I saw you become a mother. I saw your children playing in the yard.
I was always proud of you.
I just didn’t want to appear in your life too late and cause you pain.
Everything I own now belongs to you.
I hope this truth finally sets you free.
Love always,
Dad.”
I sat there under the apple tree for a long time.
For thirty-eight years I believed my father had disappeared before I was born.
But the quiet man who lived next door…
had been watching over my life the entire time.
Richie found me there later that morning.
When I showed him the letters, he wrapped his arms around me.
“We’ll figure this out,” he said softly.
That afternoon I called my mother.
read more in next page
