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“The ballroom is on the third floor. The
bedrooms must be up there. Let’s see what we
can find.”
Laura followed Penny down the hall, peering
into one room after the other. They walked into
a large bedroom. The room was a time capsule.
College pendants were pinned to the walls, while
photos, ticket stubs, and a 1972 calendar were
tacked to a bulletin board above a student desk
piled with textbooks and legal pads layered in
dust. “This must have been William’s room.”
Laura leaned in to get a better look at the
the front door. Something about the red ribbon pictures. “Look Penny, it’s Terry’s mother. She’s
tugged at her brain, but she couldn’t put her in a lot of pictures. They look so happy. And here
finger on it. is the invitation to the Halloween party. Thirty
In the dining room, they drank a quick cup years, and I’m guessing nothing has changed. I’ll
of tea and ate a muffin. check out the desk, you look in the closet.”
“Penny, what do you think about going Laura opened the top desk drawer and pulled
upstairs before we go to the basement?” out a bundle of envelopes tied with a string. She
“Laura, that is a brilliant idea.” held them for a few moments, wondering if she
“I do have them you know.” should read them. Her curiosity got the best of
The staircase divided the house in half. The her, and she untied the string.
dining room to the left and the massive living The top envelope had William's name written
room to the right. Hand carved newel posts in loopy handwriting. Hearts dotted the i’s. It had
flanked each ornate stair railing. Brass rods held a been postmarked two days before the Halloween
runner in place on the wide stairs. Laura counted party.
twenty steps to the landing. At the top, a shorter “Penny, listen to this.
set of steps turned to the right and another to the "My Dearest William,
left. Laura wondered why she had overlooked the I can’t wait to see you at the party. I have
rest of the house. something special to tell you. I’m counting the
Rubbing the newel post for luck, Laura minutes.
trudged up the staircase. Penny followed at a Love, Linda"
slower pace. They both stopped on the landing to “I bet she planned to tell him about the
catch their breaths. “Which way should we go?” pregnancy. Did you find anything?”
VOICES! | APRIL 2023 29
