Letters from Leo

CHILDREN STORIES

- Sheila Kelly Welch

LOOK!” MOM SAID. Andy shoved a pair of old men’s shoes into a box labeled giveaway, then turned toward his mother. “These letters were way back inside that antique desk, like they were hiding!”

Andy wiped sweat off his forehead. When Mom had convinced him to help clear out his great-grandmother's attic, she’d made it sound like a treasure hunt. He’d expected to find something fantastic after the eight-hour car trip and the past week working in the hot attic where everything smelled like dead dust.

The worst part of the job was realizing Granny wanted to stay in this house where she’d lived her whole life. Whenever Mom mentioned Garden Glen, the assisted living facility near Andy’s family’s home, Granny’s mouth drooped. Since they’d arrived, she hardly smiled and hadn’t laughed—not once.

“Letters from Leo!” Mom said. As she handed the packet to Andy, she pointed to the penciled name on the top envelope. “Granny will be thrilled!”

“Leo?” Andy waved the letters to cool his face.

“Granny’s oldest and favorite brother. He made her wooden toys. He even made that special box that sits on the stairway windowsill—locked up tight.”

“Locked? Why?” Andy wished he’d paid closer attention to the family stories Mom had told him on the long drive.

“The key’s been lost for . . . forever.” Mom shrugged. “The mystery box will never be opened. Now about those letters . . .” Andy stopped fanning his face. Mom said, “Granny will want them at Garden Glen. Could you please carry that fistful of history downstairs and show her?”