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I picked up the box. It was light, but something inside shifted.
Watson stepped into the hallway and read the words.
“Happy Birthday, Brothers.”
“Maybe one of the boys ordered something.”
“No,” I said. “I’m taking it to our room. I don’t want them opening some cruel joke in front of everyone.”
His face changed. He understood.
I closed our bedroom door and sat on the edge of the bed. For a minute, I stared at the box.
Then I opened it.
On top was a folded note.
His face changed.
“Dawn,
Please don’t show this to anyone until you finish reading.
Don’t trust Grandma.”
I stopped breathing.
Under the note was a hospital bracelet.
It was tiny and yellowed at the edges.
“Don’t trust Grandma.”
The printed name was Rowan.
Behind it was a photo of a young man near a lake.
He had Riley’s mouth, Rex’s height, Watson’s jaw, and my eyes.
I made a sound I’d never heard come out of me.
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