Wyszłam za mąż za śmiertelnie chorego mężczyznę, bo taka była jego ostatnia wola – po pogrzebie jego prawnik zapukał do moich drzwi i powiedział: „Kazał mi czekać do dziś, żebym mogła ci powiedzieć, kim on naprawdę był”

I pressed the paper to my mouth.

You gave me normalcy when pity would have broken me.

Mr. Baron opened his case again.

“This belongs to you.”

He placed a worn leather journal on the table. Inside the cover, Carl had written my name.

The first dated entry was from the year after I left Silver Oak Street.

Selena, Age 15.

I hope high school is kinder than last year.

Inside the cover, Carl had written my name.

The entries continued, one for every birthday.

Age 18.

I hope she finds a place where nobody packs her life into bags.

20 lat.