Chapter 7: The Umbrella Comes Home

“Stay back,” I told him.

“Mom, it has my name on it.”

“I know. But we don’t know who put it here, so I’m opening it first.”

I knelt and lifted the lid.

Then I forgot how to breathe.

Inside was a tight bundle wrapped in blue fabric.

For one awful second, I didn’t understand what I was seeing.

Then I recognized the wooden handle.

The silver button.

Eli’s name in Darren’s handwriting.

Eli dropped to his knees beside me.

“That’s Dad’s,” he whispered.

“It is.”

A folded note was tucked beneath the strap.

Eli, I promised I would return this. I didn’t know it would come home with a crowd. Thank you for covering me when I felt invisible. Jenelle. Continue Reading ⬇️