The handwriting was uneven, as though he had spent time beginning and crossing out sentences.

I did not open them without the children.

I told them what had arrived and explained that they could read their letters, ask me to read them, put them away, or choose not to open them at all.

Olivia opened hers first.

Daniel mentioned the star she’d carried at Christmas and said he was sorry he hadn’t asked her about it.

Sophia’s letter referred to the questions she had asked and acknowledged that he’d avoided answering them.