With a somewhat heavy heart, Shane McInerney walked up to the entrance of the Denver, Colorado Post Office. Yesterday had been one of the longest days she had ever experienced. Not only had Norman Dorman's grandmother come through her surgery exceptionally well, but Shane had witnessed Oliver O'Toole do the one thing in this world that frightened him the most. Yes, he mailed the infamous letter to his wife, Holly, in Paris. Shane longed to know what was within it, but Oliver never chose to share that with her. Now the real waiting would begin.

As Shane readied herself for bed the previous night, she had examined practically every possibility within the scope of reality (and unreality) many times over. It was well after midnight before she finally succumbed to sleep. And even her dreams were troubled. Every time she closed her eyes, she could still see Oliver's face as he mailed the letter and the way in which he had looked at her. Deep down, Shane McInerney knew that she had fallen in love with Oliver O'Toole, and she would wait for him forever. There was no one else for her, and to make matters worse, he was not free. She could not share her feelings unless (or until) he was free of Holly. Holly O'Toole, her mind pondered. What kind of woman would ever leave Oliver in that way? Who would say such horrible things and essentially blame him for her leaving? Shane had met many cold and calculating women in her time, but Holly O'Toole had to take the cake.

"You know, "Shane whispered to herself. "The only other woman I can think of who would ever stoop this low is Mercedes Wesley from high school." Shane's body shuddered with the thought of that devilish blonde. Shane truly struggled to realize that there could be two such horrendous women in this world. As Shane entered the DLO office, she called in

As Shane entered the DLO office, she called out in mock happiness, "Good morning. Sorry I'm late. Yesterday was quite a day." Rita

Rita Haywith and Norman were at their normal spots, and they looked up with a stare of curiosity. Instantly, Shane knew that something was not quite right. No one said a word as Shane scanned the office. Oliver's desk was completely undisturbed, and to make matters worse, he was nowhere to be seen.

"Uh, where is our fearless leader?" Shane asked tentatively.

"Oliver called in sick this morning," Norman replied. "He's never done that before."

"Really?" Shane said with concern in her voice. "You mean Oliver has never been sick?" "Not as long as we've known him," Rita responded. "He's always been as healthy as a horse. Tremendous constitution." Shane looked at Norman, who was already hard at work. "Oh, Norman, I'm sorry. How's your grandmother doing?" Without even glancing at Shane, he said, "She's perfectly fine. The hospital just wants to keep her another couple of days just to make sure. Thanks for asking." "So, uh, what do we do since Oliver's not here?" Shane asked. "Just the same as we always do," Rita replied, walking over to the box of letters on Oliver's desk. "That's the beautiful thing about us

"Not as long as we've known him," Rita responded. "He's always been as healthy as a horse. Tremendous constitution."

Shane looked at Norman, who was already hard at work. "Oh, Norman, I'm sorry. How's your grandmother doing?"

Without even glancing at Shane, he said, "She's perfectly fine. The hospital just wants to keep her another couple of days just to make sure. Thanks for asking."

"So, uh, what do we do since Oliver's not here?" Shane asked.

"Just the same as we always do," Rita replied, walking over to the box of letters on Oliver's desk. "That's the beautiful thing about us Postables. Nothing slows us down. Even when our leader is gone, we know what to do."

Norman and Shane joined Rita at Oliver's desk. The three of them looked at each other as they were not sure what move to make next. Things just seemed strange without Oliver.

"Uh, Shane, how about you pick a letter today?" Norman offered.

With great trepidation, Shane closed her eyes and picked a random letter. Once she opened her eyes, she realized what an unusual letter she was holding. It was a simple white envelope that was covered in dark stains. The address was completely obscured, and she could only barely make out the name of the recipient. Even more bizarre, the envelope itself seemed to have a hint of the smell of smoke.

"My goodness, " Shane breathed. "This letter looks like it's been through a war."

"Is anything legible?" Rita asked.

"Yes," Shane said as she examined the unusual letter. "No return address, but the recipient's name appears to be Mitchell and Barbara O'Toole."

All three of the occupants of the DLO looked at each other and said "O'Toole?" at the same time.

"Is it possible-" Shane began.

"Possible, I suppose, "Norman said.

"Highly probable," Rita and Shane stared at Rita in surprise. Rita smiled. "You forget that I see the personnel files. Oliver was required to give his parents' names for background search purposes when he was hired. And his parents' names are Mitchell and Barabara."

"I've never heard him talk about his parents," Shane said slowly. "Nor have I," Rita responded. "Has Oliver always lived in Denver?" Shane asked. "Oliver has spent most of his life in this area," Rita explained. "He actually lives inBoulder-about a half hour from

"Nor have I," Rita responded. "Has Oliver always lived in Denver?" Shane asked. "Oliver has spent most of his life in this area," Rita explained. "He actually lives in Boulder-about a half hour from here-but he has also lived in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. Graduated from the University of Scranton in May of 1995 with a B.A. in Literature. Same year he graduated from high school."

"You are joking," Shane raised her voice in amazement. "You mean that Oliver graduated from high school and college at the same time?"

"He's a very intelligent guy," Norman responded.

"I'll say," Shane said, as she examined the envelope again.

Suddenly, she noticed that she could read another portion of the address."Rita! Norman! Look at this!"They came over and stared at the envelope as she pointed to a certain area after the names. "Can't you make out PA for Pennsylvania right here?"

Norman took his magnifying glass and stared at the envelope. "Shane, I think you're right."

"This has to be for Oliver's parents!" Shane exclaimed. "Do you think they still live in Pennsylvania?"

"If they do, Oliver has never been to visit them," Rita responded.

"So what should we do?" Norman asked, as he walked back to his desk."Set it aside for Oliver for when he comes back?"

"Sounds good to me," Rita said as she went back to her work area.

Shane was not so sure, but Rita and Norman seemed unaffected. They immediately resumed their work. Shane decided to set the letter aside and get back to work, too. She gently laid it on Oliver's desk, and she absent-mindedly attempted to put her mind back on work. Easier said than done. Shane honestly couldn't keep her mind off of Oliver. As Shane tried to attend to the daily tasks of the DLO, she found herself being sorely tempted to look up Oliver's parents. Why had he never mentioned them? What was the significance of this letter? She knew that only a click away would give her some of the answers. But she stopped herself. The last time Shane did an unsolicited search for someone in Oliver's life, Oliver felt very betrayed and violated. She had discovered the address of his estranged wife. Maybe this time she needed to speak directly to-

"Uh, Rita, Norman," Shane said suddenly.

With confused expressions, Rita and Norman looked up from their work. "It would seem that things are rather slow here today at the DLO. It's almost lunchtime, and I thought I'd go somewhere a little different for lunch today. By myself. And I figured I could drop by Oliver's house, check on him, and see that he gets this letter. After all, we are almost like family-the four of us-and it's important to check on our generally healthy leader since he appears to be under the weather."

Norman hesitated briefly. "Shane, I think that's a really good idea. We can certainly hold things down here."

Picking up the letter and putting it in her purse, Shane smiled sweetly and said, "Thanks, Norman. Can I bring you guys anything?"

"Nah, we'll just catch something next door."Norman half-smiled at Rita.

"Okie dokie. Uh, one question. I have never been to Oliver's house, and so I could I possibly trouble one of you for the address."

Rita quickly wrote down the address on a slip of paper and handed it to Shane. "It's not terribly hard to find. It's just a bit off the beaten path."

Taking the paper from Rita, Shane said, "No problem. My GPS will get me there. And if not, I trust Google Maps should help me. I'll make it." Shane pretended to glance at a clock. "Well, I need to get going. Call me if you need anything, I'll have my phone on me. Have fun." Shane quickly walked out of the office.