Chapter 20 - The Letter in the RainOne year later, the rain returned.
Not as a storm.
Just a soft, steady rain.
Martha was sitting on the porch when the mail arrived.
Among the envelopes was one without a return address.
She stared at it.
Then called for Leo.
He opened it carefully.
Inside was a single photograph.
An old military photograph.
Leo.
Marcus.
And another soldier standing between them.
Someone Leo had not seen in fifteen years.
On the back of the photograph were five handwritten words.
THE PAST NEVER STAYS BURIED.
Leo’s expression changed.
Martha saw it immediately.
“Who sent it?”
Leo looked toward the rain.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Finally, he folded the photograph and placed it inside his pocket.
“I don’t know.”
In the distance, a black car moved slowly past 42 Meridian Lane.
Then disappeared around the corner.
Martha looked at Leo.
“Is it starting again?”
Leo looked at the house.
At his mother.
At Elena, who was standing in the doorway.
Then he smiled.
“No.”
He wrapped an arm around Martha’s shoulders.
“This time, whatever comes...”
Thunder rolled softly in the distance.
Leo looked toward the darkening sky.
“We’ll face it together.”
The rain continued to fall.
Inside the house, warm lights glowed against the windows.
A family sat together.
Safe.
Stronger.
Ready.
And somewhere beyond Meridian Lane...
A secret from the past had begun moving toward them.
The story of Martha and Leo Vance was over.
Or perhaps...
May you like
it was only the beginning.
THE END... OR IS IT?
