“I haven’t opened it,” Anna said.

“It’s addressed to Claire.”

Chapter 7: Carol’s Last Words

None of us moved for a moment.

The envelope sat in the center of the table — white, clean, with Claire’s name written in Carol’s handwriting.

Smaller letters than the first letter, shakier.

The hand of someone who was already running out of time.

“She knew my name,” Claire said again.

The same words as before, but they meant something different now.

“She must have found it in my letter,” Anna said.

“The one I sent her years ago, telling her you were healthy.

I must have mentioned your name.” She paused.

“I’m sorry.

I didn’t think — “

“Don’t apologize,” Claire said.

She was staring at the envelope.

“She reached out.

Even at the end, she reached out.” A pause.