I find myself lifting the papers to my nose, searching for that familiar musky scent of cologne that seems to follow him wherever he goes.

After a few more minutes of silently looking through his papers, I get back to work on the stack of boring old financial documents. After about an hour of filing away papers into three different folders, I nearly give in. But just as I file away another statement balance, I spot something out of the ordinary.

It looks more official than the rest of the documents. This one is a deed. It has the thickness of a deed, and when I open it, I find it paper-clipped to a few other papers. These papers also don’t feel or look as old as the rest. They are still white, not bent or faded. A quick scan of the top of the paperwork, and I realize I’m looking at the deed for the tattoo shop. My breath hitches in my throat for a moment as I read the details of the deed. The address, property type, name, value, and more.

Holding them makes me feel powerful. This is everything Murph wants to control right here. I could have him eating out of the palm of my hand if only he knew what I held.

Hazel must have pulled this deed out to prepare her will, giving the shop officially to Murph, I’m sure.

Flipping through the documents behind this one, I notice one is a printed email to her attorney. The next is a photocopy of her will, and the last is a scribbled note in Hazel’s handwriting. At the top of the note is my name.

I almost close it to avoid reading it too early. Did Hazel want me to read this now? She left it for me on purpose?

Quickly, I open the pages back up and read through the notes, taking a deep breath to prepare myself.

Savannah,

You’ll find this all very alarming, but please trust me and my intentions. When I first met you, I knew your walls were up, almost as high as his. My hope with this plan is that you will help each other tear them down. Give him a chance. He may seem cold and scary at first, but I’ve seen the sweet boy underneath, and I think you could find him too. You have the guts to crack him open. Please do.

Thank you for a wonderful last year.

Hazel

Moisture fills the brim of my eyes as I read, and I have to scan it over to absorb what Hazel is saying. He may seem cold and scary at first...well there’s no doubt who she’s talking about. When did Hazel write this letter? Did she always have me pegged as a match for Murph?

None of this makes any sense. Why is this letter here? Was she holding onto it for me? And what exactly is with the cryptic first line?

I flip back through the other documents. My gaze freezes on my own name on the printed email.