He opened it in our presence.

Inside were letters Arthur had sent to Richard over the years, some returned unopened, some answered.

There were postcards from birthdays, photographs, and a copy of an apology written after their worst argument.

Arthur had not presented himself as blameless.

In one letter he wrote, I tried to run the store and your life the same way.

I could tell a customer when a lock was broken but I couldn’t admit when I had broken your trust.

I am sorry for the ways I made you feel like an employee rather than a son.