Emily Opened an Old Storage Box Filled With Family Files — Then Grandpa Arthur Recognized Victoria’s Signature on the Document She Never Wanted Them to See
Chapter 4 — Rebecca’s Birthday Card
Arthur opened Rebecca’s envelope carefully.
Inside was a birthday card.
The printed greeting had faded slightly.
But the handwritten message was clear.
Happy birthday, Grandpa Arthur.
I don’t know if you’re still upset with Dad or with me too.
I miss Sunday lunch at your house.
I hope someday we can come again.
Arthur sat down.
“Rebecca thought I was angry with her?”
Emily looked toward Victoria.
“Were you telling them Grandpa didn’t want to see them?”
Victoria immediately shook her head.
“I never said those exact words.”
Arthur looked up sharply.
“Those exact words?”
Victoria realized how that sounded.
“I told Samuel you weren’t ready for visits.”
“For how long?”
“At first, a few weeks.”
Arthur held up Rebecca’s card.
“This was sent eleven months after Eleanor died.”
Victoria went silent.
Emily opened another folder.
Inside were handwritten telephone notes.
Samuel called — told Arthur resting.
Rebecca called — said not a good week.
Thomas asked about Thanksgiving — advised no gathering planned.
Arthur read them.
“I never knew they called.”
Victoria stepped closer.
“You were struggling.”
Arthur’s voice hardened.
“Stop saying that as though it answers everything.”
Victoria stopped.
Arthur continued.
“Yes, I was grieving.”
“Yes, I was exhausted.”
“You could have told me Samuel called and asked whether I wanted to speak.”
“You could have handed me Rebecca’s card.”
“You could have asked.”
Victoria looked down.
Emily continued sorting.
Most of the documents were from the first two years after Eleanor’s death.
Then the number decreased.
Fewer letters.
Fewer calls.
Fewer invitations.
The family had eventually stopped trying.
Then Emily found a sheet dated nearly four years after Eleanor died.
By then Arthur was no longer in the immediate shock of grief.
Yet Victoria’s signature appeared again.
And this instruction could no longer be explained as a temporary attempt to protect a grieving brother.
