“The attic, it was the only place I could hide something for you and be sure you’d wait long enough to deserve it, or to decide if you still wanted it. If you’re reading this, you stayed. That’s more than I could’ve hoped for. I’m sorry I didn’t know how to say thank you. I was never good at it. But you were the only one who stayed.”
“So everything I had, everything that mattered, is yours. I just wish I’d said that out loud when I could.” No signature. No “love.” But still, it hit like a hand on her shoulder, warm and heavy. She didn’t cry. Not right away.