The final figure written on the paper was large enough to instantly clear every single student loan I owed. I checked the typed numbers against my printed name twice, completely convinced that the lawyer had made a massive clerical error.

Beneath the legal document lay a small, neatly folded handwritten note from Chloe.

The Story Continues After Part 2

PART 3

I recognized the handwriting before I unfolded the paper.

Chloe made her capital letters with little loops, as if even the alphabet was an opportunity to misbehave.

Dear Serious Doctor, it began.

If you are reading this, you are probably making that face you make when somebody brings you news you cannot fix.

I laughed once, involuntarily, and then the tears came so suddenly I could barely see the next line.

Please do not spend the money on trying to prove you deserved it.

You do not have to deserve a gift by suffering first.

But I am asking you to do something for me before you decide what it means.

There was a date, and beneath it the name of a community center on the east side of the city: The Lantern House.

Go there with Paige.

Ask for a woman named Mrs.

Alvarez.

Ask her about the blue door.

After that, you may decide what to do.

And Brandon?

Please don’t forget to eat dinner.

I read it twice.