Chapter 2 |
"These letters are all stamped "Out of System"," Norman said. "Some of them are very old." He looked at several. "Can't be sure where they came from."
"The US Postal System works in mysterious ways, Norman," Oliver said.
"You can say that again," Shane laughed.
Rita was staring at one particular envelope, turning it over and over. "Wow," Norman said. "That's the whitest envelope I have ever seen."
"Uhm," Rita offered, attracting Oliver's attention. "This is weird," she added and turned the envelop three more times, looking at both side. Oliver started towards her.
"What's weird?" Shane asked.
"The – uh – the address is just the name 'Oliver' and the – uh – return addressee just says, 'God'."
"What?" Norman and Oliver said together.
"It says, to 'Oliver' and from 'God'." She held up the envelope so they could see it.
Oliver took the envelope and turned it several times, then laid it on the counter and stared at it. "That is a very white envelope," he said. "Not sure I've ever seen one that bright."
"Look at the penmanship," Norman said, staring with admiration. "It's perfect, beautiful."
"Well, it would have to be if God wrote it," Shane laughed.
"I think the ink is gold," Norman added. He looked closely with his jeweler's loupe. "It is gold," he gasped.
"Should I open it?" Oliver asked.
"It does have your name on it."
"This is most unusual," the lead Postable said. Shane stepped next to him and slipped an arm around his waist, then reached for his favorite letter opener and handed it to him. "Ok," he said and slipped the opener under the flap of the envelope, the blade made a soft 'swish' as it separated paper fiber. Oliver pulled the envelope open and carefully removed a second envelope that was inside. "Now this is most peculiar," he said, turning the second envelope over and over.
"What, Oliver?"
"There is no flap on this second envelope," he said. "It's all one piece, there is no way to open it. I can feel a letter inside, but the only way to read it would be to destroy the outside."
"So how did the letter get inside?"
"I would suggest you read the return address again," Oliver said almost curtly. "It does say 'God'. He made the world in six days, I'm sure a sealed envelope is no problem for Him."
"Oliver," Shane nodded at the envelope in his hand. "Who is the second envelope addressed to?"
"Rachel Lewis, 16 Ephesians Avenue, Colby, Kansas. Under that it says, "To be hand delivered." There is no return address."
"So what does that mean?" Rita asked.
"Colby is about 4 hours from here, but you can't go there," Norman said. "They got hit with a tornado last night and most of it doesn't exist now. It was on the news this morning."
The four Postables stood one on each side of the table with the impossible envelope between them, exchanging glances with each other, waiting for someone to offer a solution. "So," Shane gave Oliver a very odd look. "A letter that can't be opened with an address to a place that has been destroyed. Now what?"
"I didn't read all of the address," Oliver added quietly. "There's more. It says, "To be hand delivered by Oliver O'Toole and Shane McInerney.""
"What?" was an exclamation spoken simultaneously by three voices.
"Oh." Shane blinked several times, then looked at the envelope sealed as tightly as a tomb, turning it over and over in her hands. "You need to shower first, Oliver. No offense."
"None taken. I have been in these clothes for two days and did take a very long walk yesterday afternoon."
"Do you want us to go?" Rita asked.
"I think we should stay and get caught up on this mess," Norman suggested.
Oliver sighed, looking at the envelope again. "Works for me," he said, sounding a bit unsure.