Golden Box Book Publishing GBBPub February Magazine | Page 15

An envelope she hadn’t noticed before lay on the dresser when she
returned the box to its proper place. She swiped it to the side and
returned the box to the perfect rectangle in the dust. She picked up the
letter and read the address on the envelope. International markings were
stamped all over it. “Well, hello, Ms. Stella Montgomery.”
She carefully pulled out the piece of paper as guilt stabbed at her. I
don’t know how criminals can live with themselves after intruding into
people’s lives like this.
Dear Grandma:
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m doing okay here in Afghanistan,
at least as good as I can be under the circumstances. I only have a few
months left in this deployment before I head back stateside, then I’ll
have some leave so I can come and visit. Mom tells me that the cancer
came back and knocked you right off your feet. She also said that as
usual, you’re a fighter and didn’t plan to let it take you this time either.
I wish I was there to help you. I know this letter is short, but I just
wanted to take a minute to tell you to keep fighting the good fight, just
like I’m trying to do here, so we can be together when the fighting’s
over. I love you, Gram. I’ll see you soon. Love, Steve
Tears welled in Traci’s eyes. She glanced around the room again. “I
wonder if Gram didn’t make it until Steve got home, and no one’s been
here to close up her house.”
She pulled the door to the bedroom shut and continued her
exploration of the house. She held her hand up at the next window. The
ruby twinkled as it caught the light.
As she passed the fireplace, she stopped at the photographs. “I’ll bet
any amount of money that you’re Steve. I wonder what your story is.”