My Parents Died Before Graduation and I Thought No One Would Be There for Me — Then Two Hands Covered My Eyes From Behind

You told me last month your leave got denied.

You said there was no way.”

He gave me a small, guilty smile, and reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, and drew out an envelope.

It was cream-colored, and worn soft, the corners frayed and the creases nearly white from being folded and unfolded a hundred times.

And the moment I saw the handwriting on the front of it, I knew.

That shaky, careful, elegant script.