"I never imagined that would be our last conversation."
My fingers stiffened around the envelope.
"What does that mean?"
Mr. Baron released a slow breath.
"He made me wait until today to tell you who he really was."
"He made me wait until today."
The letter inside was written in Carl's careful handwriting.
Selena,
Our meeting was not an accident.
Before I became your husband, I was the awkward guy who lived two houses down and spent every autumn hoping you would stop by Arthur's workshop.
My knees struck the floor.
Our meeting was not an accident.
Mr. Baron caught my elbow, but the letter slipped from my hand.
Two houses down.
Arthur's workshop.
A narrow alley.
The smell of sawdust and bicycle grease.
Memory opened so suddenly that I could not breathe.
Memory opened so suddenly that I could not breathe.
"Silver Oak Street," I whispered.
Mr. Baron nodded.
