Elizabeth could still hear the family's voices as she climbed the stairs and opened the door off the library, Ronnie's pitch becoming higher as he extolled the virtues of single-color flowers and Delly's as she insisted that barbecue and paper plates were just fine for the family dinner before the service.  It was hard not to snicker at the picture she had just left: an expensively understated kitchen, a flamboyant queen, and resentful white trash.  The absence of the once-charmed and now disappointing daughter would not be noticed.

The attic was as crisply organized as it had ever been.  This was no surprise.  With Jane, everything had its place, from every hair in her country club hairstyle, to every pair of classic shoes, to every bit of family memorabilia in the attic.  each box was labeled in her quick handwriting, and Jane felt a bit of grief as she passed her hand over the words written in black permanent marker.  Everything in her mother's life had been categorized.  She would  cringe to know the chaos that had ensued surrounding her death.

As Elizabeth walked and observed, one box caught her attention.  it looked as if it had been recently opened and then resealed; the tape was not as yellowed.  it was also not marked, which was unusual for her mother.  As the dynamics from the kitchen rose, she picked up the box, walked out of the attic, and placed the package on the small desk.  The brass letter opener made quick work of the tape, and Elizabeth did not realize until after she opened the flaps that she was holding her breath.

The chaos inside was infinitely more surprising than the chaos downstairs - that particular family clash was expected.  But this....haphazard box of papers and clothing and a photo album, along with other objects she could not yet reach....this did not seem like Jane at all.  Elizabeth opened the album, and underneath the clear cellophane of the first page was a photo and a sealed letter.  Jane had a habit of placing cards and letters into photo albums, but they had always been open so the browser could see the good wishes.  Why was this one sealed, and who was the young man in the photo?