But Emma reached into the front pocket of Felix’s cardboard gown.
She removed a folded envelope.
“Before you make that decision,” she said, “I want you to read something.”
William stared at the envelope.
“What is this?”
“A letter that belonged to my brother.”
She held it out.
He took it reluctantly, glanced at the handwriting, and began reading.
Then something changed in his face.
His eyes moved back to the first line.
His lips parted slightly.
He looked at the envelope again, then at Felix’s photograph.
“Where did you get this?”
“From his school things.”
William lowered his voice.
“Emma, this is a private letter.”
“It was written to my brother.”
She swallowed.
“And he kept it because he believed every word.”
William looked toward the audience.
Then he looked at me.
“Melinda, did you know about this?”
I shook my head.
“I knew she was bringing Felix. I didn’t know about the letter.”
