The brown cardboard box was faded and so was its label. But there in the center, clearly written, was “Miss Andrea Walker.” The words “Return to sender” were written boldly next to it and an arrow had been drawn to point towards the return address.

The return address had no name listed above it, but it was an Idaho address—Bill’s address. I looked closely at the postmark. 1995. I was five years old.

I walked towards the nightstand and placed it there ...