Chapter 7 - THE BOX CELESTE NEVER EXPECTED THEM TO FIND
Rebecca found the missing cards.
Not by breaking into Celeste’s apartment.
Celeste had left one plastic storage bin in Damian’s garage during her move.
She texted permission for Rebecca to open it because she thought it contained holiday decorations.
It did.
Under the wreaths and extension cords sat a small cardboard mailer.
Natalie’s handwriting covered the front.
LUCAS.
Damian stopped when he saw it.
Inside were seven envelopes.
Birthday.
Valentine’s Day.
First day of school.
One simply labeled:
WHEN YOU MISS ME.
None had been opened.
There was also a small photo album.
Natalie in group therapy graduation.
Natalie volunteering at a community garden.
Natalie standing outside a sober-living apartment in Madison.
Ordinary evidence of rebuilding.
Damian sat on the garage floor.
Rebecca crouched beside him.
“She kept all of it.”
He nodded.
“Why not destroy it?”
That question mattered.
If Celeste wanted Natalie erased completely, why preserve the mail?
Damian called Celeste.
She answered on the first ring.
“You found the box.”
Not a question.
“Yes.”
She exhaled.
“I knew eventually you would.”
“Why keep it?”
Silence.
“Celeste.”
“Because I’m not a monster.”
Damian closed his eyes.
“No. Don’t do that.”
“I couldn’t throw away his mother’s letters.”
“But you could hide them.”
“Yes.”
The honesty was almost worse.
“Why?”
Celeste’s voice changed.
“Because every time something came, you became hers again without even seeing it.”
Damian said nothing.
“I watched you check the mailbox after she left treatment.”
Celeste continued.
“I watched Lucas cry over her photograph.”
“And you thought hiding more from him would help?”
“At first I did.”
“At first.”
There it was again.
The phrase that kept appearing.
At first, Celeste had believed she was protecting them.
At some point, she started protecting herself.
Damian looked at the unopened envelopes.
May you like
He no longer needed to guess where that line had been crossed.
He needed to know when.
