Page 262 of Mountain Grump

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It’s a single sheet of paper. Folded in thirds.

Like a letter.

Unease crawls up my arms as I hold the paper in front of me.

It’s just paper.

It’s a lost piece of mail.

It’s… making my hands shake.

“It’s none of my business,” I say out loud, trying to convince myself not to open it.

But the corner of the paper is wet.

And if I flatten it out, it’ll dry faster.

Sitting on my heels, I lift the top edge of the paper, opening the page.

And revealing Uncle Jack’s handwriting.

That unease inside me turns hot.

“What…”

The paper trembles as I unfold the rest of it.

I shouldn’t read it.

I know I shouldn’t.

It’s not mine.

But it ismyuncle’s handwriting.

And why wouldn’t Ethan tell me he got a letter too?

I shouldn’t read it.

But my eyes find the first line.

And even though I shouldn’t read it.

I do.

Dear Ethan,

I’m sure you’ve met my Matty by now. Sorry (not actually sorry) for misleading you. But it was necessary to get your acceptance.

You’re a stubborn man, Ethan Grant. A real ass sometimes. But your heart is good.

And Matilda needs someone with a good heart.

My heart races as I read each line. I remember now, Ethan making a comment about Uncle Jack asking him to keep an eye on me. But I didn’t think more of it.

It’s just a thing people say.

But as I start to read the next line… I feel sick.

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