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“Is Star okay watching them?”

“She doesn’t mind, and Amy’s with them”

“Amy’s here!” Elaine perks up at the ht back I haven’t seen her yet”

She runs out, andfor you”

“What is it?”

She holds out a cream-colored envelope with my name written on it in brown ink It’s fine linen stationary with a large A e Taking it carefully, ether I look up at her

“Take it behind the screen and read it,” she says with a little smile

Stepping around the wooden dressing screen, I do as she says

At first, I only slide my hands over the smooth paper His script is precise and blocky, controlled just like hthe seal, I pull the heavy paper out and open it He’s written me a letter

Dear Melissa,

(Or should I say “Miss Jones”?)

I’ht seem old-fashioned I wanted to write you a letter to read on our wedding day In the future, if you ever doubt me, you can read this and know my heart

Before I ht this part of my life had ended, and I never expected to have a faain Then you appeared

You changed my life in ways I can’t explain The weeks ere apart, the nights I thought our separation ht last a lifetime It was the worst time of my life

I can’t iine me without you