Ethan Came Home With a Box of Pastries and a Letter Only His Father Could Read — Then Claire Saw Who Had Signed It
Chapter 2 — The Man at the Bake Sale
Daniel stared at his wife.
“What does that mean?”
Claire immediately looked toward Ethan.
“Not in front of him.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“Apparently he’s already in front of it.”
Ethan looked confused.
“The old man was nice.”
Claire froze.
“You spoke to him?”
Ethan nodded.
That afternoon, his class had attended a charity bake sale in the school gym.
Several local businesses donated food.
Harrison & Sons supplied trays of pastries.
Near the end of the event, an elderly man approached Ethan.
He looked at the name badge on Ethan’s shirt.
Then asked:
“Is your mother Claire?”
Ethan said yes.
The man became emotional.
He asked Ethan how old he was.
Asked whether Claire was happy.
Then told him:
“You have her eyes.”
Mrs. Parker saw the conversation and immediately walked over.
When she asked the man who he was, he gave his name.
Walter Harrison.
Then he said:
“I’m Claire’s father.”
Daniel looked at his wife.
“Who is Walter Harrison?”
Claire sat down slowly.
“My father.”
Daniel felt his stomach drop.
“So he’s alive.”
Claire nodded.
“Yes.”
“You told me he died before we met.”
“I know.”
Daniel stared at her.
“For eleven years, Claire?”
She started crying.
“I had reasons.”
Daniel held up the letter.
“Then I think I’m finally going to hear them.”
