I Found a Little Boy’s Photograph Taped Beneath Our Bed—Then One Word in My Husband’s Hidden Letters Changed Everything

“That was thoughtful,” I said.

“What color?”

I answered him.

He studied my hair, then nodded as though he was confirming a fact before using it.

Beatrice stepped back.

“Please come in.”

The house was small and comfortable.

There were books near the sofa, toys arranged with the optimism of a parent who knew they would be scattered again, and a basket of folded washing on a chair.