The last time I saw the old leather satchel, it was hanging from a chair in my mother’s kitchen.
Claire had decorated one of the picture cards and slipped it inside as a joke.
Adrian found it after dinner.
On one side was a photograph of Eleanor wearing her red dress.
Underneath, Claire had written in enormous letters:
THIS IS ELEANOR.
SHE LOVES YOU.
Then, beneath that:
DINNER STARTS AT 4:30.
YOU ARE ALLOWED TO STAY FOR DESSERT.
Adrian stared at it.
Mom started laughing.
Then I did.
Then Claire.
Adrian shook his head, slipped the card back into the satchel and said:
“I’m never going to live this down, am I?”
Eleanor reached across the table and took his hand.
“No.”
Then she smiled.
May you like
