“I’ll see you in court,” Marlene said as I passed her.
“Maybe,” I answered.
I took the envelope before she could grab it.
Then I walked out into the parking lot with a dead woman’s sewing machine, a sealed letter against my ribs, and Marlene’s voice chasing me down the hall.
***
I sat in my old car in the lawyer’s parking lot, the letter trembling in my hands.
Eventually, I broke the seal and removed the letter inside.
Daniel, I have one final job for you.
I have spent sixty years looking for someone, and now I ask that you continue the search.
Daniel, I have one final job for you.
All I have to help you with your search is inside the sewing machine.
Find him for me, Daniel. I could not.
Do this, and everything I had is yours.
I put the letter back in the envelope and unfolded the birth certificate.
