The Letter
written by: Phyllis Souza
A large window displayed a collection of seldom-used coats, but one captured attention—a long black wool coat featuring deep pockets, priced at $10. The fabric still carried a faint scent of mothballs, serving as a lingering reminder of its past.
One week earlier, the granddaughter of a recently deceased woman entered a thrift store.
“I’m donating this coat. It belonged to my grandmother,” the granddaughter said.
The clerk closely examined the coat, lifting it to feel the fabric. The wool was fine, and the buttons were large and round. The collar was beautiful, black velvet, and the pockets were notably deep.
The clerk took the coat.
The granddaughter left the store.
That’s when the clerk found the letter. A thin, yellowed piece of paper rested in one of the coat pockets.
The grandmother wrote in her letter. In 1940, an American soldier gave me this coat before he lost his life in the war. I was a German spy, and I apologize for my actions.
Prologue:
Fearing imprisonment, the letter remained hidden until the grandmother passed away.
NOTE:
Based on the Prompt – The Last Letter
- The Letter - June 27, 2025
- A Rose - May 11, 2025
- The Magic of Easter - April 20, 2025