What the Old Box Held

The surgeon had good news. The operation went well, but her mother was sleeping now. Sara could not ask her anything yet. She decided to drive to her mother's house to get some clothes for the hospital.

The house was quiet. Sara went to the wardrobe in her mother's bedroom and reached to the top shelf. Her hand touched something hard. It was a small wooden box. Sara had never seen it before.

Inside, there were three things: a folded letter, a black-and-white photograph, and a second ring. Sara looked at the photograph first. Her mother was young, maybe twenty years old. She was smiling. Standing next to her was a tall man with light eyes. Sara did not know him.

She opened the letter. The handwriting was her mother's. Daniel — I am keeping this for you. I always will. Whatever happens next, please know that June 14 was the most important day of my life.

Sara's hands began to shake. June 14, 1987. The date inside the wedding ring. She understood it now. The ring was not from her father. It was never from her father.

Sara sat down on the bed. Her father's name was Robert. Robert still bought her mother flowers every year. "Does he know?" she asked herself. She held the old photograph and felt like her family was a mystery.